Trying to eat healthy this summer? It can be tough! Sweet summer treats like lemonade, popsicles and ice cream are great for cooling off – but they are also loaded with sugar, which wreaks havoc on our oral and overall health over time.

And even in so-called “healthy” treats like frozen yogurt, added sugar renders them surprisingly unhealthy. In fact, most flavored froyos contain as much sugar as ice cream! But that shouldn’t deter you from regular, plain yogurt. Plain yogurt is fantastic for our dental and gut health. And though some may think plain yogurt is boring or unappetizing, with a few simple ingredients it can be transformed into an incredibly delicious treat.

Below is our recipe for a super simple, tooth-healthy Yogurt Parfait that everyone in the family will love!

Tooth-Healthy Yogurt Parfait Recipe

Ingredients:

• Plain yogurt
• Assorted fruits, chopped to bite-sized pieces if necessary. (Apples, strawberries, kiwis, blueberries, and blackberries are great choices!)
• Unsweetened or low-sugar granola
• Optional: chia seeds and/or unsweetened nuts such as brazil nuts, slivered almonds, or cashews.
• Clear cups or glasses.
• A spoon.

How to Make It:

• Take a clear glass and spoon out a layer of yogurt at the bottom.
• Spread a layer of fruit on top, then add a layer of granola.
• Repeat until you reach the top of the glass, and sprinkle with chia seeds and/or nuts if you wish. That’s it!

Recipe Ingredients: Oral Health Benefits

Plain Yogurt:

• Rich in probiotics, which slows the growth of cavity- and bad-breath causing oral bacteria.
• Fantastic source of calcium, which strengthens and protects tooth enamel in young children and adults alike.
• Helps balance the pH levels in the mouth, lowering acidity levels and decreasing the presence of germs and bacteria in the mouth.
• Excellent and completely safe for people who wear braces!

Apples: High in fiber and helps “scrub” teeth clean when chewed.

Strawberries and Kiwi: High in vitamin C, which helps reduce inflammation of the gums.

Blueberries and Blackberries: Good source of polyphenols that help fend off harmful oral bacteria, and may also have anti-inflammatory properties.

Unsweetened/Low-Sugar Granola: High in fiber and helps scrub teeth. Fantastic for the digestive system, which in turn is very important for a healthy mouth.

Nuts: Most nuts are low in carbohydrates and sugar. And because they are firm and require extra chewing, they help stimulate saliva production and scrub teeth.

Chia seeds: Good source of calcium, vitamin A, fiber, and phosphorus — all excellent promoters of good oral health.