Summertime is finally here, and it is the perfect time to enjoy vacations, fun-filled barbeques, and leisure time with family and friends. While we spend our sunny months focused on easy living, it is also important to remember that our oral health deserves some attention, so we can avoid falling out of good oral care habits. Here are some top strategies to keep our teeth shining all season long.
Stay Hydrated!
The summer months can get very hot, prompting us to reach for sweet iced tea or lemonade to cool off. High temperatures can lead to sweating and dehydration, resulting in reduced saliva production and a dry mouth, which increases the risk of tooth decay. Less saliva also leads to dry mouth and bad breath, which is the last thing we want when we’re busy socializing in the summer!
Remember to choose plain water to stay hydrated, prevent bad breath, and protect your enamel against tooth decay. It will help neutralize any acids from sweets you consume and help maintain a healthy overall diet. Oftentimes, sweetened or flavored waters contain sugars or added ingredients that can harm enamel over time.
It is recommended to drink eight glasses of water throughout the day, possibly more if it is extremely hot outside, to avoid dehydration and help maintain good oral health.
Protect your Skin and Lips
Aside from your teeth, you want to protect your face and lips from increased sun exposure throughout the summer. Wearing sunscreen and chapstick with an SPF of 30 or higher will decrease your risk of any skin sunburn and oral cancers around the lips.
Many forget that sunscreen around the oral cavity is vital to avoid burns and sensitivity that can contribute to cracked, burned skin. Ask your dental professional about great options for chapsticks and sunscreen for the face to help keep you safe and protected.
Be Ready During Summer Sports
There is an uprise in dental injuries throughout summer, like chipped or knocked out teeth with more kids outside playing and enjoying sports. Swim-related injuries, biking, and outdoor contact sports lead to an increase in tooth injuries so be aware of slippery pool sides and wear a custom-fit mouthguard during an outdoor sports game!
Emergencies typically happen when you least expect them, so it is always a good thing to have emergency dentist contact information on hand in case you experience a fractured tooth or, in the worst case, an avulsed tooth out of the socket from a summer injury. Since many dental injuries occur at camp and poolside, remember that if a tooth is avulsed (falls out), seek a dentist within 60 minutes and place the tooth in a saline solution, milk, or saliva for the best chance of survival.
Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush!
Many people are traveling during the summer, but their oral hygiene doesn’t take any vacations. Remember to always bring along your toothbrush, floss, and mouth rinse. Ask your dentist at your next appointment if they have any sample-sized dental goods so you can throw those in your carry-on for your next vacation. Make a travel kit with dental essentials so you can toss it in your suitcase or car if you are going away for an extended break or even a weekend getaway. Also, if you or your child wears any orthodontic appliances or retainers, it is important to bring them along so you don’t prolong or backtrack in your orthodontic treatment.
Eat Healthy!
Summer is a fun time to splurge on ice cream and extra-sugary foods during BBQs, parties, camp, and get-togethers. But, try to keep in mind that this uptake of sugar throughout the summer can also lead to long-lasting dental problems.
Some foods to avoid consuming frequently are acidic foods that can lead to enamel erosion and tooth decay. Sticky candies and dried fruits can get stuck in tooth grooves and between teeth, leaving you more susceptible to dental decay.
Instead, opt for healthier options throughout the week, like fruits, cheese, and nuts and leave some of the sugary foods for the weekend. When you are mindful of your food choices, you can still enjoy the summer without compromising your oral health!
Schedule Your Summer Check-Up Early
Summer is a great time to schedule routine dental visits, especially for young children and teens. It is important to stay on top of your oral health, and scheduling early means avoiding the back-to-school rush for dental visits. It is also a great time to develop new, healthier habits before the start of the school year. An early dental visit can help inform you if you or your family members have any tooth decay that needs to be addressed or a possible orthodontic issue that can be treated.
Preventative Visits Make a Big Difference!
Scheduling a routine dental visit this summer can help maintain optimal dental health and prevent minor issues from developing into more severe or costly problems later on. When you schedule a preventive visit in the summer, you’ll get a comprehensive exam that evaluates for gum disease and tooth decay, x-rays to help look for issues that are not visible to the naked eye, and a professional cleaning to remove stains and calculus. Other key treatments that are great to receive in the summer to prevent tooth decay include sealants and fluoride treatments. These preventative treatments help reduce your chances of getting a cavity and help strengthen teeth long-term.
When you’re on top of your dental health in the summer, you won’t regret the extra lemonade or sweet treat you indulged in. The summer is the perfect time to buckle down and get your routine dental visit in for professional cleansing and a reminder of tips to keep your smile glowing all summer long. Contact Caldwell, Bills, Petrilli & West to make an appointment today!