When you think of the summertime, you probably imagine sunshine, endless barbecues, and long afternoons at the pool or on the beach. It’s a great time of year, and with the season comes great produce: peaches, summer squash, cantaloupe, tomatoes, corn, blueberries, and many other delicious fruits and vegetables. Sadly, not all of these are as good for your body as they are for your teeth, but don’t despair! There are ways you can protect your oral health from some of these delicious summer foods.
Corn
Corn is native to America and comes in both yellow and blue varieties. You can make corn in many ways, but eating corn straight off the cob can actually hurt your teeth.
You know the feeling of getting corn stuck between your teeth? Not only is this annoying, it can also allow bacteria and plaque to move in and start developing cavities. Corn doesn’t have to be avoided altogether, though, just stick to other versions, such as this Hopi Blue Corn Tortilla recipe or you can shuck the corn from the cob itself, and eat it separately. If you do eat corn on the cob, be sure to brush and floss your teeth afterwards.
Blueberries
Blueberries are undoubtedly great for you. In fact, many would consider them a superfood! But unfortunately blueberries are also really good at staining. If you eat a handful of blueberries this summer, try to rinse your mouth out with water after, or you could even brush your teeth. Blueberries are full of anti-oxidants, so continue enjoying them, but protect your pearly whites when you do.
BBQ Sauce
Everything tastes better with BBQ sauce, right? From french fries to grilled chicken, even on pizza, this delicious sauce is plentiful in the summer months. Most BBQ sauces you find on grocery store shelves though are full of sugar and high fructose corn syrup. Slathering this sauce on your food is like eating viscous soda. Try to limit your intake of this sauce, and even ketchup too, and stick to healthier options.
Don’t worry, there are a lot of summer foods that are actually good for your teeth: strawberries, watermelon, apples, and pears! For more information on treating your pearly whites right, come visit us for an appointment! Sometimes even avoiding our favorite things, like coffee and tea, is not enough to get our teeth white. Return your teeth to their former brilliance with a teeth whitening appointment. Or, just visit us for a dental cleaning today to make sure your teeth and gums are in good health! Call us now or schedule your appointment online.