If you love lemonade as much as me but hate the idea of causing enamel erosion and cavities, here's How to Make Lemonades That Are Gentle on Your Teeth.
Citrus Delight: How to Make Lemonades That Are Gentle on Your Teeth
I was shocked when my dentist in Stamford told me that lemonade can erode the enamel on my teeth. I love the refreshing taste of lemonade on a hot summer day, but I value my smile far more. I thought I would soon be switching my drink of choice until I learned how to make lemonades that are gentle on my teeth.
A Brief History of Lemonade
The first glass of lemonade was served in the 19th century. Lemonade was introduced as an alternative to alcohol and soon became the drink of choice for kids, teenagers, and adults of all ages. Even President Rutherford B. Hayes and
First Lady Lucy Hayes served lemonade to guests at the White House.
Lemonade has continued to provide us with a tasty, zesty, thirst-quenching drink well into the 21st century. And it's still enjoyed by people young and old.
How to Make ‘Gentle’ Lemonades
Gentle lemonade is made with our teeth in mind. It still delivers the refreshing taste lemonade is known for without damaging our teeth. Before you swear off lemonade forever, try out the following tips. Prepare lemonade using these tips and include the drink in your diet during the summer, spring, winter, or fall without damaging your smile.
1. Dilute Your ‘Ade
Adding water to your freshly squeezed lemonade is the easiest and fastest way to reduce its acidity and potential tooth damage. My dentist suggested mixing equal parts lemon juice and water. I took his advice and must say my lemonade tastes just as delicious, but is more satisfying since I'm confident my teeth will not pay the price.
2. Use Sparkling Water
Sparkling water, referred to as spicy water by my children, kicks your lemonade up a notch -and it's healthier for your teeth. Plus, sparkling water gives your lemonade a nice fizz as a bonus. You can't go wrong when using sparkling water for your lemonade.
3. Use Sweeteners Wisely
Lemonade recipes traditionally call for sugar -and plenty of it -that can also lead to cavities and other tooth damage. Put the white stuff aside from this point forward, and opt for a delicious sugar alternative like honey or agave instead. Each natural sweetener is less harsh on your teeth and compliments the zest of the lemon perfectly. Both natural sweeteners dissolve easily and give lemonade a delicious taste from the first delightful thirst quench to the last sip.
4. Try Herbal Lemonades
It’s 2024 and nowadays, we tend to pay more attention to the unordinary, especially when we find a twist to a favorite drink or recipe. Infusing your lemonade with fresh herbs like mint and basil gives your drink a burst of flavor and lessens its acidic content. You can drink herbal lemonades and expect some pretty cool benefits in addition, such as its ability to freshen breath and aid in digestion.
5. Ice, Ice Baby
A glass filled with ice cubes enhances the fun of your drink. As the ice cubes clank together, you’re reminded of the refreshment that sits inside the glass. Every drink is more divine when it's iced down. Plus, adding ice to your glass of lemonade helps dilute the acidity.
6. Use a Straw
Straws are necessary for my drinks and always have been. Sipping through a straw improves the taste of a drink if you ask me. Now that my dentist told me that drinking through a straw reduces damage to my teeth, I find myself bragging to my friends about how I am one step ahead of them. Using a straw in your lemonade reduces contact between the acid in the drink and your teeth. I recommend a reusable straw to show your support for our earth!
7. Rinse After Drinking
Water is pretty amazing, and I'm sure you agree. It helps replenish our blood cells and keeps us hydrated. It reduces the acidic content in lemonade without diluting its taste and removes plaque, tartar buildup, bacteria, and yes, the acid and sugar from your teeth.
Rinse your mouth with water after drinking lemonade to keep your teeth clean and damage-free.
8. Consume Your Lemonade in One Sitting
I was one of those people who sipped on lemonade throughout the day. Now, I drink a glass with my meals because it reduces the amount of time my teeth are exposed to acid, minimizing the possible health risks. Consume your lemonade at once if you want to protect your teeth.
9. Visit Your Dentist
Experts, including the American Dental Association, recommend visiting the dentist twice yearly for oral health checkups. If oral health problems arise between visits, schedule an appointment immediately. Visiting the dentist on a regular schedule ensures you are always on top of your oral health and beautiful, bright smile, even as a lemonade consumer. Visiting the dentist on a regular basis reduces oral health problems.
Introducing the tips above into your routine can help keep your teeth healthy and clean while enjoying lemonade and other drinks you love. Taking care of your teeth now by making a few easy adjustments can save a tremendous amount of hassle, money, and visits to your dentist in the future. And, of course, these tips can protect your oral health and your beautiful smile.
The Bottom Line
Staying healthy and maintaining your smile doesn’t mean you must give up the things that you love. Lemonade is a true treat and the beverage of choice for many of us. Don’t give up your tasty drink when it's so easy to make a few adjustments and make ‘gentle’ lemonades that aren't so burdensome to your oral health. I hope this information helps you and your smile.
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