Teeth-Friendly Food and Drink Tips for Summer Parties

Those red, white, and blue cupcakes you saw on Pinterest are perfect for your July 4th party! Unfortunately, they’re not so good for your teeth.

The sugar in those cupcakes—especially in that delicious creamy frosting—will cling to your teeth, forming acids that dissolve tooth enamel and cause tooth decay (cavities), as well as other dental problems.

Desserts and sugary drinks, like soda and juice, aren’t the only culprits wreaking havoc on oral health at backyard barbecues and family picnics. Condiments including barbecue sauce, ketchup, and some salad dressings also may contain a lot more sugar than you realize.

Even foods without added sugar can get stuck in your teeth and cause problems. “Potato chips are standard party fare, but they bring unwanted guests into your mouth,” according to an article by the American Dental Association (ADA). “Chewed-up chips often settle in the pits of your teeth, giving cavity-causing bacteria the chance to make a meal from your teeth.”

Acidic foods, such as citrus fruits and tomatoes, also have the potential to damage teeth. Frequent exposure to these foods can erode enamel, causing teeth to become discolored, more vulnerable to tooth decay, and prone to sensitivity. Beverages like soda that are both acidic and contain a large amount of sugar are especially bad for teeth.

 

We’re not suggesting that you forgo treating yourself to your favorite summertime snacks, of course. We love cupcakes and potato chips as much as the next guys. But we are advising moderation. Treat yourself, sure, but try not to overindulge on a regular basis.

 

In addition to practicing moderation, try these four teeth-friendly food and drink ideas at your next summer soiree:

  • Serve fresh fruits and vegetables including apples, pears, carrots, celery, and broccoli. Not only are these foods a low-sugar, low-calorie snack option, but they also can help clean teeth when you’ve eaten something sticky or sugary. “They’re like natural toothbrushes, scrubbing off build-up and stimulating saliva to wash away what’s left,” according to the ADA.
  • Offer iced tea instead of soda. Tea contains compounds that help prevent cavity-causing bacteria from growing in your mouth—just don’t add too much sugar!
  • Make fruit-infused water instead of fruit punch. Try experimenting with tasty combinations of fruit and herbs (like watermelon and mint), but go easy on citrus fruits, which are high in acid that can damage teeth. Here are some tasty-looking recipes.
  • Keep straws handy. Sipping acidic and sugary beverages like soda through a straw reduces the time that these liquids are in contact with teeth, which minimizes the damage they can cause.

When you’re a guest at a party, you obviously can’t control what foods or drinks your hosts will serve, but you can enjoy their hospitality while taking precautions to protect your teeth:

  • Avoid snacking between meals. Enjoy sugary or acidic foods or drinks, sticky foods like dried fruit or granola, or starchy snacks like potato chips with meals rather than on their own to help neutralize acid and prevent damage to teeth.
  • Clean your teeth ASAP. Brush your teeth thoroughly, or at least rinse your mouth with water or chew sugar-free gum, as soon as possible after you’ve finished eating or drinking anything sugary. Wait 30 minutes before brushing your teeth if you’ve consumed acidic foods or drinks, though. Acid softens tooth enamel, and brushing too soon can damage it in its weakened state. Instead, rinse your mouth with water to wash away the acid, or if you can, brush your teeth before you eat or drink anything acidic.
  • Practice proper dental hygiene all the time. If you take good care of your teeth, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about the occasional cupcake splurge at parties. Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste at least twice per day and floss daily to keep your teeth clean and healthy. Visit your dentist every six months for a professional cleaning and exam to catch any minor issues before they become major problems.

Good dental hygiene habits and proper nutrition are the cornerstones of good dental health. For more expert advice about teeth-friendly foods and beverages, ask about our nutritional counseling.

Are You Searching For A Martinsburg Area Dentist For You Or Your Family?

If you’re searching for an experienced dentist please feel free to contact us online or call our Martinsburg, West Virginia dental office directly at 304.267.6059 to schedule your appointment. We provide a wide range of general dentistry care as well as more involved dentistry services for patients throughout the Martinsburg area and look forward to you joining the Cornerstone Dental family.

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