Refreshing Summer Snack and Drink Ideas That Happen to Be Healthy

Fruits are Yummy!

Not all summer snacks have to be unhealthy, as long you put just a little effort in making sure they are not. We can help you kick start the search process by offering you a few refreshing summer snack ideas that also happen to be healthy – it’s truly a win-win situation. Lay the macaroni and cheese, grilled steaks, sugar-laced BBQ sauces, and ice cream down as you get your hands dirty with these fresh and fruity ideas.

Refreshing Summer Snacks

Simple Fruit Skewers - First on our list is the fruit skewer. It seems basic because that’s exactly what it is – basic. But it’s also visually appealing in case you’re traveling to a party and need something to show for. Buy a pack of wooden skewers and some of your favorite fresh fruits – strawberries, oranges, mango, whatever your heart desires. Cut the fruit into nice pieces that can easily slide onto the skewer and there you have it.

Frozen Fruit Snacks - Staying on the topic of fruits, we suggest making your own frozen fruits. Take your favorite fruits, slice them up into bite-sized pieces that a toothpick can handle, and place into freezer overnight. Take them out and enjoy. We recommend using cherries or grapes because they work the best.

Grilled Peaches – Peaches are amazing, but guess what? You can grill them too for a different experience. Slice one in half, place onto your grill for about 2-5 minutes on each side, and then top it off with cinnamon powder. A tasty treat.

Refreshing Summer Drinks

Sparkling Orange Water - Do you like water? You probably do, but sometimes we seek more than just water – we need some type of flavor. No problem. Grab a pitcher, fill it up with water, slice some oranges and cucumbers (add more oranges than cucumbers), place them into your pitcher of water, and let it refrigerate for a few days. Take it out and try it. It may not taste as sweet as store bought orange juice, but that’s because this recipe isn’t loaded with artificial flavors or sugars.

Fruit Juice Cubes - Here’s another hidden gem that you may have already tried at some point: fruit juice cubes. If you have an ice tray, fill it up with your favorite 100% juice and let it freeze over night. Grab your favorite sparkling water brand, throw a few juice cubes into it for a truly refreshing experience.

See, it doesn’t take much to make a refreshing snack – basically a freezer and some fruits. Fruits generally work the best because everyone loves fruit. We like to think of fruit as nature’s candy – none of that man-made processed stuff that causes havoc on your teeth.

As your Las Vegas family dentist, we’d like to remind you to always brush and floss your teeth on a daily basis. Typically brush at least twice a day and if you can you should floss after every meal. Even though these foods and drinks are considered “healthy”, it’s still important to make sure your teeth are healthy as well!

5 Most Common Dental Problems Adults Face

Children don’t have teeth that are invincible, but they are certainly a lot less prone to dental problems as their teeth are as new and fresh as they can be. As with anything, time will eventually takes it toll. The more we age, the more likely we will run into dental problems, some being a lot more common than others.

1. Tooth Decay

This is one of the main reasons we are told all the time to brush and floss our teeth every single: to prevent tooth decay. Tooth decay is generally the starting point for a large majority of dental problems that exist.

2. Gum Disease

Gum disease is the beginning stage of something a lot of adults face: periodontal disease. Next time you’re in your dentist’s comfortable chair, pay attention to your numbers that are read out loud which will give you insight on where you stand in regards to periodontal disease.

3. Oral Cancer

We aren’t saying you will face oral cancer sometime in your life, but it is one of most common cancers that people face. If you’re curious as to whether or not you are experiencing symptoms, then ask your dentist for an oral cancer screening.

4. Bad Breath

This is a common dental problem people face, usually without knowing the cause. Of course, some foods will leave your breath real stinky – such as onions for instance – but other times you’ll wonder why your breath stinks, that’s if you can even detect this scenario in the first place. More often than not someone has to point out this embarrassing scenario to you.

5. Discolored Teeth

This is another very common problem adults face, which is why teeth whitening procedures have become so popular over the years. Teeth whitening procedures can be done in your dentist’s office for faster results.   

Of course the best way to prevent any dental problem, common or not, is to stay on top of your dental hygiene game by following common dental protocol of brushing twice a day an flossing at least once (you should floss after every meal, but if you can’t then nighttime works best).