The six worst summer drinks for your teeth
Summer is on its way, and with temperatures rising, many of us reach for refreshing drinks to cool down. But that poolside cocktail or iced coffee might be doing serious damage to your pearly whites, according to dental experts.
Many popular summer beverages combine multiple threats to dental health – acid, sugar, and staining compounds. What’s concerning is that people often sip these drinks all day long, which maximises the damage.
The experts at Doctors Implants, a doctor-owned practice of board-certified oral surgeons and restorative doctors specialising in full-mouth dental implants, have identified the biggest offenders when it comes to summertime sips, along with smarter alternatives that won’t wreck your smile.
1) Citrus-based cocktails
Margaritas, mojitos, and other citrus-heavy cocktails deliver a triple threat to your teeth. The citrus acids erode enamel, while the sugar feeds bacteria that cause decay. Add alcohol, which dries out your mouth and reduces protective saliva, and you’ve got a perfect storm for dental damage.
Citric juices can have a pH as low as 2-3, which is nearly as acidic as battery acid, the experts at Doctors Implants explain. When mixed with sugar and alcohol, these drinks can start softening enamel within minutes of contact.
Alternative: Opt for a vodka soda with a splash of cranberry and a lime garnish (not juice). You’ll get the flavour without bathing your teeth in acid.
2) Iced coffee with flavoured syrups
We all know that too much sugar is not good for us. And that caramel frappuccino or vanilla iced coffee might be your summer wake-up call, but it’s also a wake-up call for cavities. Dark coffee stains teeth, while flavoured syrups and sweeteners can contain just over 25 grams of sugar per serving.
People don’t realise they’re essentially drinking liquid candy, say the experts. And sipping these beverages slowly throughout the morning extends the sugar exposure, giving bacteria more time to produce acid.
Alternative: Try cold brew with a splash of milk or unsweetened almond milk. Cold brew is naturally less acidic than regular coffee, and skipping the syrups cuts the sugar dramatically.
3) Frozen slushies and snow cones
These nostalgic summer treats are essentially sugar, food colouring, and ice. The vibrant colours that make them fun also stain teeth, while the high sugar content and cold temperature create a perfect environment for sensitivity and decay.
Alternative: Make your own frozen treats with unsweetened tea or coffee blended with ice and a small amount of natural sweetener like monk fruit.
4) Sports drinks
Many people reach for sports drinks during summer activities, but these beverages can be surprisingly harmful. Despite their healthy image, they’re often loaded with acids, sugars, and artificial colours.
Sports drinks can have a pH of between 3 and 4, which is acidic enough to etch tooth enamel, Doctors Implants points out. Most people who drink them aren’t exercising intensely enough to need the electrolytes they provide.
Alternative: Infused water with cucumber and mint or coconut water provides hydration without the acid and sugar assault.
5) Lemonade and sweet tea
These summer classics combine two major dental dangers: acidity and sugar. A typical glass of lemonade contains about 25 grams of sugar plus enough citric acid to erode enamel, while sweet tea bathes teeth in sugar and tannins that cause staining.
Alternative: Try unsweetened iced tea with lemon slices (not juice) for flavour, or infused water with berries for a hint of sweetness without the sugar bomb.
6) Fruit smoothies
This is the most misunderstood ‘health’ drink, the experts note. Many commercially prepared smoothies contain more sugar than a can of soda. Even homemade versions with just fruit can be problematic because they concentrate the natural sugars and acids.
The thick consistency also means smoothies tend to cling to teeth longer than other beverages.
Alternative: Make green smoothies with more vegetables than fruit, or choose protein smoothies with unsweetened almond milk, protein powder, and a small amount of fruit.
Why HOW you drink is as important as what you drink
What most people don’t understand is that it’s not only about sugar – acidity and how frequently you expose your teeth to these drinks matters tremendously. Patients are often surprised to learn that sipping on seemingly healthy options like lemonade or fruit smoothies throughout the day can cause more damage than having a soda with a meal.
How you drink matters as much as what you drink. We recommend using straws (preferably reusable ones) to minimise contact with teeth, drinking water between sips of acidic or sweet beverages, and never brushing immediately after acidic drinks when enamel is temporarily softened. Rinsing with water after enjoying these beverages can help neutralise acids and wash away sugars, but wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to avoid damaging softened enamel.
Dental professionals actually recommend plain water as the best choice, followed by unsweetened tea. If you do enjoy acidic or sweetened drinks, have them in one sitting rather than sipping all day. Your smile is often the first thing people notice – preserving it doesn’t mean giving up your favourite drinks entirely, just enjoying them smartly.
Doctors Implants are a doctor-owned practice of board-certified oral surgeons and restorative doctors. Their speciality is full mouth dental implants that reproduce natural form and function, giving you the smile you want: whether that be a natural smile or a Hollywood smile.
