There’s nothing like a cold, refreshing drink to beat the summer heat. (Especially in Arizona.) However, beverages like soda, lemonade, iced coffee, fruit juice, and energy drinks are all notorious for causing cavities. Here are some healthier options that will quench your thirst and still taste great.
Best Summer Drinks for Healthy Teeth
1. Unsweetened Iced Tea
Iced tea on a hot day can’t be beat. Luckily, green teas and herbal teas offer several natural benefits for teeth. Green tea contains polyphenols, which inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria in your mouth. It also has antioxidants that help reduce the risk of gum disease. Green tea even has natural antibacterial properties that neutralize odors and freshen your breath.
As for herbal teas, peppermint tea is refreshing and naturally anti-inflammatory. It can soothe irritated gums and reduce the risk of periodontal disease. Herbal teas also reduce the amount of harmful bacteria that cause decay, such as cooling peppermint and refreshing hibiscus tea.
2. Homemade Berry-Banana Milkshake
Milk contains calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D, all of which help rebuild and strengthen your enamel. It also promotes jawbone health and neutralizes acids in the mouth, making milk one of the best drinks for your teeth.
A chilled milkshake is a great way to cool down and get all the benefits of milk in summer, but it will harm your teeth if it’s loaded with sugar. Luckily, you can make a tooth-friendly milkshake with no added sugar in your blender at home:
- 1 cup of milk (or 1 cup of unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 cup frozen blueberries
- 1 small banana
Blend all the ingredients together for about 30 seconds and enjoy!
3. Homemade Orange-Kiwi Smoothie
Smoothies are also a healthy, refreshing summer option when made with the right ingredients.
For instance, Greek yogurt has minerals like calcium and phosphorus that help strengthen your tooth enamel. It also has antioxidants that help fight inflammation and probiotics that fight cavity-causing bacteria.
Here’s one of our favorite healthy, tasty smoothie recipes:
- 1 kiwi
- 1 banana
- 1 large, seedless orange
- ½ cup Greek yogurt
- ½ cup ice
Peel the fruit and combine all the ingredients in a blender. Whizz until smooth.
4. Water with Fresh Fruit, Mint, or Cucumber
It may seem boring, but water is the absolute best drink for your teeth. It promotes saliva production which helps prevent dry mouth and reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease. If you don’t like drinking plain water, try adding some tooth-friendly foods like pineapple, strawberries, mint, or cucumber for flavor.
5. Sugar-Free Electrolyte Drinks
If you play sports or are active outdoors during the summer, you’ll need to replenish the electrolytes lost through sweat. Sports drinks can help, but most of them are both high in sugar and very acidic, the absolute worst combination for your teeth. Look for sugar-free electrolyte drinks, drink them through a straw, and rinse your mouth with water afterward to neutralize the citric acid.
6. Coconut Water
Unsweetened coconut water is another great option for hydrating after summer sports and activities. It helps replenish lost electrolytes, but with far less sugar and lower acidity than sports drinks or fruit juices. However, even unsweetened coconut water contains sugar, so it’s best to drink it in moderation.
7. Sugar-Free Soda or Lemonade
If one of your favorite ways to cool down on a hot day is to crack open a can of soda or sip some crisp lemonade, that’s fine. You just need to be careful which brands you choose. Soda and lemonade are normally extremely high in sugar, so it’s important to choose sugar-free varieties. And since lemonade and sodas are also quite acidic, try to finish them quickly instead of sipping all afternoon.
Protect Your Teeth with Routine Checkups
If you drink a lot of soda, coffee, or energy drinks, making smarter choices can help. But even if all you drink is water, you still need regular checkups and cleanings. Preventive dental care is the best way to keep your teeth healthy and strong, so don’t put off your next visit!
Are you due for a checkup? Contact Country Club Dental in Flagstaff to schedule an appointment today.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 5/10/26.
Dr. Paul Whitney opened his dental practice in April 1987 in Flagstaff, Arizona, and has resided there for over 26 years. Having received his B.S. in Zoology from the University of Massachusetts in 1979 and his D.D.S. from Georgetown University in Washington, DC, in 1983, Paul has years of education and experience in a variety of fields.
