Enjoy tooth-friendly summer desserts.

Everyone craves something sweet once in a while, and there is no shame in wanting to treat yourself to a dessert every now and then. But, if you are feeling a little guilty for wanting to curb those cravings, why not look for tooth-friendly alternatives that are still appetizing and satisfy your sweet tooth? At Luminous Smiles in Newport Beach, California, we understand wanting to satisfy your cravings, so we’ve compiled a list of tooth-friendly summer desserts that you can enjoy all season long, without feeling guilty for satisfying that sweet tooth.

Fruit-Based Popsicles

One of the best summer treats is simple and can be made at home—popsicles! All that’s needed is some fresh fruit of choice, popsicle sticks, and molds to freeze your treats in. Start by pureeing your fruit of choice. Use fruits that are in season, like berries or watermelon. If you want a creamier texture, you can add some Greek yogurt to your fruit puree. Next, pour the fruit mixture in your popsicle mold, and then pop in the freezer for a few hours. This treat is simple and easy to make, and the whole family will enjoy them.

If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with the kids this summer, have them help out by picking their favorite fruits and experimenting with new flavor combinations.

These make-at-home treats are better than any store-bought alternative because there are no added sugars, making these popsicles tooth-friendly and dentist-approved.

Coconut Sorbet

If you are looking for something that has a texture more like ice cream, look no further than coconut sorbet. And you just need three ingredients—evaporated coconut milk, condensed coconut milk, and coconut water.

This recipe is simple to make too. All you need to do is combine all of the ingredients together in a bowl, and whisk until they are blended. Next, take the mixture and put it in an ice cream machine, and then let it mix until ready. If you don’t have an ice cream machine, you can pour the mixture onto a shallow pan and place it in the freezer, mixing it about once an hour until it is completely frozen.

The great thing about a coconut sorbet is that it’s refreshing and tropical! It works great as a base for adding other fruit flavors, like mango, pineapple, or strawberry. Coconut has been proven to help with gum inflammation and helps fight gum disease. So, add this treat to your summer dessert rotation.

Dark Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries

If you are a chocolate lover, you should know it’s okay to treat yourself every now and then. Dark chocolate is high in antioxidants, which can help fight off plaque and bacteria in the mouth, as well as help reduce gum disease.

So if you are a chocolate lover, whipping up dark chocolate-dipped strawberries as a dessert this summer might be just what you and your family need. Plus, it’s simple to make! You just need to melt some dark chocolate, dip your strawberries, let the strawberries rest on parchment paper for about 15 minutes, and then these treats are ready to be consumed.

Do you have kids who want to help with this dessert? Let them dip the strawberries and then allow them to use their creativity to decorate with sprinkles.

Apple Slices with Nut Butter

An oldie, but a goodie, apple slices make a satisfying dessert when paired with your favorite nut butter. Apples are crunchy by nature, and they can act as a natural toothbrush when you chew them, their crunchy texture helping to sweep away food particles as you chew.

Instead of pairing apples with traditional peanut butter, try a different nut butter, like almond butter. Both are high in protein and packed with nutrients to help keep your teeth healthy.

If you are looking for a twist, add a dash of cinnamon to your nut butter. Cinnamon has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial qualities, meaning it can help fight gum disease and bacteria in your mouth.

Greek Yogurt Parfait

Another easy to make dessert for summer is a Greek yogurt parfait. These parfaits are easy to customize to anyone’s taste and can be full of healthy ingredients. Greek yogurt is a nice alternative to regular yogurt because it contains less sugar and is high in calcium, which is essential to building healthy bones and teeth.

To make your parfait, layer in Greek yogurt, followed by the berry or fruit of your choice. Strawberries and blueberries are great choices for a refreshing summertime dessert. If you want some crunch, mix in some granola or a few nuts for texture.

Visit Luminous Smiles this summer.

To help keep your teeth in great condition, make sure to visit Luminous Smiles in Newport Beach this summer. Dr. Desai is the only female dentist in the area to be recognized by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. There are only about 500 dentists nationwide who have received this honor. So, if you haven’t had a dental checkup in the last six months, schedule yours today!