Allergy Season and Oral Health: How Are They Related?
June 20, 2017Easy Does It: Don’t Fall Victim to Over-brushing
July 26, 2017Minnesota summers can be hot and muggy. On days when the temps and humidity are high, it can be very tempting to reach for ice-cold lemonade, or grab a can of pop from the refrigerator. Unfortunately, both of those drinks are bad for your teeth due to the acidity and sugar content. Here are several alternatives that are less acidic, and lower on sugar, to keep your mouth happy.
- Water
Although it may sound boring, plain old H2O is the best drink for your oral health. If you just can’t convince yourself to drink enough plain water to keep you hydrated, you can dress it up with different fruits. For example, make a refreshing batch of cucumber water, or adding some fresh-cut strawberries to your pitcher. - Carbonated, flavored water
Carbonated water beverages such as La Croix and Perrier have gained popularity, and for good reason! It has no artificial sweeteners and no calories, and in some cases, no sodium. Although some may argue that the carbonation (and therefore minor amount of carbonic acid) may harm your teeth, your saliva should be sufficient to neutralize this small amount of acid. 
Iced Tea
A more flavorful substitute for plain water is also iced tea—just not the store-bought, sugar-laden kind.- Boil 2 cups of tea
- Steep 3–5 tea bags in the boiling water for about 5 minutes
- Add 2 cups of water to the mix
- Add lemon or minimal amounts of honey to taste
- Transfer to pitcher Refrigerate for 2–3 hours.
- Milk
Milk is a great drink choice for strong, healthy teeth because of its high calcium content. Calcium helps build strong teeth and bones, and fight against gum disease. - Homemade reduced sugar lemonade
We like this recipe that uses a small amount of Stevia as a substitute for sugar. Although it is still acidic, it is a much better alternative to the sugary lemonade on sale at the grocery store.
With that, we wish you a healthy and hydrated summer! Don’t forget that summer is a great time to schedule a routine visit. Call our office at 952-443-3368.