Summer Drinks For A Healthy Mouth

Refreshments To Keep Your Teeth And You Happy This Summer 

In our last blog, we learned something pretty surprising about oral health – consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages are a stronger risk factor for dental decay than snack food OR poor oral health. That means that just maintaining good oral hygiene is not enough to protect your teeth from the corrosive effects of sugar-sweetened drinks. Why? Sugar is food for the bacteria that naturally live in your mouth, and when they break down sugar they release harmful acids that can eat away at the enamel and structure of your teeth.

So for this blog, we’re giving you a couple summer refreshment ideas that are great for cooling off and keeping your teeth happy and healthy!

Alternatively Sweetened Homemade Lemonade

Everyone loves lemonade. The sound of ice clinking in a big glass pitcher, the distinctive summer sunshine color, and that classic sweet & sour taste all just say summer. But there’s danger lying in that glass – most lemonade is absolutely loaded down with sugar to counteract the tang of the lemon juice. And that sugar, combined with the citric acid from the lemons, spell disaster for your teeth, leading to cavities, tooth decay, and possibly a fortune in reparative dentistry.
But have no fear! You can still enjoy this timeless summer treat. Skip the store-bought stuff, where you have no control over the ingredients, and make your own – it only takes about a half an hour. Instead of cane sugar, try sweetening the lemonade with honey, coconut nectar, coconut sugar, or xylitol.

Milk

It turns out it’s not just good for cereal – milk has also been shown to contribute to the strength and health of your teeth. Milk is high in calcium, and while we all know calcium is great for bones, calcium also helps to protect your mouth from periodontal disease. You need Vitamin D to absorb all that calcium, though, so be sure to pair your milk with vitamin D rich foods! Or try the ultimate vitamin D producer – sunshine. Your body can produce almost a week’s worth of vitamin D with just a half hour of exposure to direct sunlight.

Water

Last but certainly not least, water is really the ultimate tooth-health elixir. Not only is it refreshing, vital to our survival, and thirst-quenching, but water actually does a lot to promote oral health. Water washes away bits of food debris and acid that accumulate in your mouth, reducing the corrosive agents acting on your teeth. What’s more, water helps to regulate the amount of saliva in your mouth. Saliva contains proteins and minerals that counteract tooth-eating acids, making it a number one protector for your teeth. If you want to mix things up a bit, try adding some sliced strawberries, lemons, mint, or cucumbers to your water pitcher to give it a refreshing essence!

Your Local Dover, DE Orthodontist

Although all of these delicious summer refreshments are good for your teeth, they certainly won’t move them anywhere! At Orthodontics On Silverlake, we are committed to providing you the very best in orthodontic care, including Invisalign, In-Ovation, and traditional metal braces. Dr. Steckel and our team of highly trained orthodontic specialists will work with you to craft a smile that is healthy, straight, and beautiful. To make an appointment, simply use our online form or give us a call at our Dover, DE practice. And check back soon for the next entries on our blog - more fun stuff to come!