Summer Salads for a Healthy Smile

In the summer heat, eating a cold salad for dinner can provide you with some refreshment. Salads can also be great for your dental health. Not only do many fruits and veggies contain minerals that are essential for healthy tooth enamel, but munching on crunchy, fresh ingredients helps keep your teeth free from plaque buildup. Here are some delicious, tooth-healthy salad recipes to try this summer.

Apple and Walnut Salad

Walnuts are high in calcium, which helps build strong tooth enamel, and crunchy apples help keep your teeth and gums clean. To make a delicious apple walnut salad for one, toss these ingredients in a bowl:

• 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
• 1/4 cup Granny Smith apple, sliced
• 2 tablespoons red onion, sliced thinly
• 2 tablespoons shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

The only dressing you need for this delicious salad is a 50/50 mixture of apple cider vinegar and olive oil. Drizzle on your dressing, and enjoy.

Strawberry Almond Dinner Salad

Almonds are high in magnesium, an often-forgotten nutrient that your teeth need to stay strong. This recipe also calls for spinach, another good source of both calcium and magnesium. Since this salad is topped with chicken, it makes for a complete and filling meal. For one serving, toss these ingredients in a bowl:

• 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce
• 1 cup baby spinach
• 4 strawberries, sliced thinly
• 2 tablespoons slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup cooked, shredded chicken breast

Next, make a dressing by combining these ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon strawberry jam
• A pinch of dry mustard

Pour the dressing over your salad, and dig in!

Rainbow Garden Salad With Egg

From carrots to cucumbers, this classic garden salad is loaded with crunchy veggies to provide you with the wide array of vitamins and minerals your teeth need. Eggs not only add protein to the salad, but are also high in iron, which is important for healthy gums. Toss together these ingredients:

• 2 cups baby spring greens
• 1/4 cup shredded carrots
• 1./4 cup chopped cucumber
• 4 – 5 slices of green pepper
• 4 – 5 cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
• 2 tablespoons red onion, sliced thinly
• 1 hard-boiled egg, chopped

Top this simple salad with your favorite bottled Italian or Ranch dressing.

In addition to eating right, you’ll also need to have regular dental checkups to make sure your teeth are healthy! Contact Shoreline Dental for more information about our services.