The Best Boardwalk Treats for Healthy Smiles: A Pediatric Dentist's Guide
Source: Dr. Marketing
Nothing says summer like spending the day on the boardwalk! Whether you're building sandcastles, playing arcade games, riding the Ferris wheel, or taking in the ocean views, a trip to the Jersey Shore wouldn't be complete without enjoying some delicious food along the way.
As pediatric dentists, we know that vacations are meant to be fun—not restrictive. While it's okay to enjoy a special treat, making smart choices can help protect your child's teeth and reduce the risk of cavities. The key isn't avoiding every sweet snack—it's choosing foods that are less likely to stick to teeth, limiting sugary drinks, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
Here are some of our favorite boardwalk foods that both kids and parents can feel good about.
🍿 Fresh-Popped Popcorn
The irresistible smell of fresh popcorn is one of the signature scents of any boardwalk. Plain or lightly buttered popcorn is one of the better snack choices you'll find.
Popcorn is a whole grain, contains fiber, and has much less sugar than many traditional boardwalk treats. It helps satisfy hunger between meals.
For the healthiest option: choose plain or lightly buttered popcorn, skip caramel or candy-coated popcorn, and consider sharing a large bag with the family.
Safety Tip: Popcorn is a choking hazard for young children and should only be offered to children who can safely chew and swallow it.
🍦 Ice Cream
Ice cream can be a better dessert choice than sticky candies because it melts away more quickly and is less likely to cling to teeth.
Choose a single scoop or soft serve, add fresh fruit when available, skip sticky toppings like caramel or gummy candies, and enjoy it after a meal instead of grazing throughout the day.
🍓 Playa Bowls
Açaí bowls and fruit bowls are refreshing and provide vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber from fresh fruit.
Choose fresh fruit toppings, add nuts for protein, use granola in moderation, and skip or go light on Nutella®, cookie butter, caramel, honey, and other sweet drizzles. Remember that many açaí bases contain added sugars.
🍕 Pizza
Pizza can be a smarter choice than many sugary snacks because the cheese provides calcium and phosphorus that help support tooth enamel.
Choose thin crust when available, add vegetable toppings, and pair your slice with water instead of soda or sugary lemonade.
🍓 Chocolate-Dipped Strawberries
Fresh chocolate-dipped strawberries are a fun treat that combines fresh fruit with chocolate. Dark chocolate varieties generally contain less sugar than milk chocolate. Enjoy them in moderation.
🥜 Roasted Nuts (For Older Children)
Roasted almonds, peanuts, pistachios, and mixed nuts are filling snacks rich in protein and healthy fats.
Whole nuts should only be offered to children who can safely chew them.
🍉 Fresh Fruit Cups
Fresh fruit cups filled with watermelon, pineapple, grapes, strawberries, cantaloupe, and other seasonal fruits are naturally sweet, refreshing, and hydrating.
🥤 Water: The MVP of Summer
Water keeps kids hydrated, washes away food particles, helps neutralize acids produced by cavity-causing bacteria, contains no added sugar, and supports healthy saliva production.
Bring reusable water bottles and refill them throughout the day.
A Pediatric Dentist's Boardwalk Tip
One of the biggest factors that contributes to cavities isn't just how much sugar children eat—it's how often they're exposed to it.
Instead of buying small sugary treats every hour, enjoy one special treat after lunch or dinner. When you get home, brush for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste and floss before bedtime.
Enjoy Summer—One Smile at a Time
Summer is all about creating memories with family and friends. By making smile-friendly choices, staying hydrated, and practicing good oral hygiene, your family can enjoy the boardwalk while protecting healthy smiles.
From everyone at Cavity Detective Pediatric Dentistry, we wish you a fun, healthy, and smile-filled summer!
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