Best Dental Tips for a Healthy Smile This Summer
It’s summertime! And with summer comes the long days full of sun and fun. With the added activities, food, and outdoor recreation the majority of summer-goers enjoy, so comes the added strain on teeth, gums, and general oral health. We’re here to help you this summer by helping you and your family maintain that healthy smile as you stay busy this summer.
Here are five easy dental tips that won’t cause you to break a sweat. But, they will help that smile to be healthier and brighter for all those pictures you’ll be taking as you capture your summer memories.
#1 Stick To Your Routine
When summer hits, it is easy to slip out of your normal routines that make up the other nine to ten months of the year. You and the kids don’t need to be up early to get ready for school. Everyone is staying up late to enjoy every moment of those warm summer hours.
With this change in your normal routine, it is easy to let certain things like brushing your teeth slide. You might skip brushing one night because your family was out late at a neighborhood barbeque. Or it might get overlooked the next morning because you’re rushing off to go swimming at the lake. But, keeping your regular oral hygiene routine can be key to keeping your pearly whites bright and healthy.
No matter what you have scheduled, try to stick to your family’s regular oral hygiene routine. Make sure that your family’s teeth are being brushed twice a day: once in the morning and once before bed.
We also encourage you to keep up with your daily flossing. Toothbrushes are great for cleaning the surface of your teeth. But, they cannot get into those hard-to-reach places between the teeth. This is where flossing becomes vital.
We know it isn’t always easy to grab that waxed dental floss and floss away between every tooth. Using floss picks or water picks can be easier and just as effective. Pick whichever option is easiest and most convenient to help you and your family keep up with your brushing and flossing routine.
#2 Drink Plenty of Water
As you and your family are out and about during those long and hot summer days, it is important to stay hydrated for many reasons. Among them are your teeth.
Drinking water helps to keep your mouth moist. This helps to stimulate saliva production. Saliva is vital to your oral health. It aids in the digestion process. It also contains minerals and proteins that are essential to protecting your teeth’s enamel.
Water also helps to keep your mouth clean. As you drink water, it washes away harmful bacteria and food particles that can cause plaque buildup. We recommend drinking water throughout the day.
When possible, drink tap or mineral water. The small amounts of minerals and fluoride in the water can help strengthen your teeth.
Also, remember not to chew on ice. Ice is hard and can damage your tooth enamel. It can also cause chips or cracks in your teeth. We encourage you to use ice to cool off your beverage of choice but not as a snack.
#3 Limit Sugary Drinks and Food
We know that summertime also means lemonade, soda, lollipops, cupcakes, popsicles, and ice cream. After all, there is nothing like a refreshing glass of cold lemonade or a delicious ice cream cone after being out in the hot sun all day. But, keep in mind that sugary treats can be harmful to your teeth. Sugar feeds the harmful bacteria in your mouth.
We’re not saying give them up completely. But we do recommend limiting them and pairing them with water when possible.
Instead of taking sugary snacks with you to the park or zoo, choose teeth-friendly snack options. Examples might include apple slices, cheese sticks, nuts, yogurt, grapes, carrot sticks, cottage cheese, or celery with peanut butter.
And if you are going to enjoy a sugary drink, we recommend using a straw. A straw limits the contact that the sugary liquid has with your teeth. Another great tip is to drink it quickly rather than sipping it slowly over a long period of time. Again, this reduces the contact that the sugar has with your teeth’s enamel.
#4 Use Caution While At Play
Part of what makes summer so great is all of the fun activities you get to enjoy during the long and hot summer days. There is nothing as exciting as biking through the neighborhood with friends, riding ATVs through a canyon, or water skiing around a lake.
As you and your family enjoy these fun activities and make lasting memories, remember to use caution. Many of these activities can cause damage to your teeth if not careful.
It is important to wear protective gear when participating in summer activities for many reasons. In addition to protecting your head, the gear can help protect your mouth from sustaining possible damage.
We encourage you and your family to wear a helmet or other protective gear while participating in your summer activities that could end in someone with an injury.
#5 Schedule Your Regular Check-up
Our last tip is to schedule your next regular dental visit if not already on your calendar.
It is recommended to have a regular check-up every six months. If you or your family have not been in to see a dentist in the past six months, this is a great time to get that appointment booked.
Regular check-ups allow the dental hygienist to thoroughly clean and polish your teeth. It also allows your dentist to inspect your teeth and gums for signs of damage or decay. If anything looks amiss, they can get you scheduled back to take care of it quickly before it becomes a bigger problem.
Keeping up with your bi-yearly visits is a great way of maintaining your oral health. We would love to help you and your family with your dental care needs.
At Grove City Dental, our patients are our top priority. Our highly qualified team is dedicated to listening to your concerns and helping you find personalized solutions. Contact us today to request an appointment or to get your questions answered. Let us help you get the healthy smile you want.