With the season of garden parties, beach days and family BBQs finally here, a lot of your daily routine can be disrupted, including your oral health regime. But the sun should not be an excuse to let your oral health slip, as it can be consequential for your teeth and gums.
While enjoying the hot weather, maintaining a routine can still be convenient and low maintenance. See how with our Summer oral health tips:
Keep Hydrated
With the warmer weather, drinking plenty of water should be a high priority to keep you cool in the sun. Keeping hydrated can also wash away food debris, maintain your saliva levels and help to freshen your breath.
Be Cautious with Sugary Drinks and Snacks
Summer is typically the time of year for cool fizzy drinks, cocktails and sweet snacks. However, it’s important to be cautious of your sugar intake, as it can attract bad bacteria, putting you at risk of dental plaque and a lowered mouth pH. When the pH level of your mouth reaches below 5.5 the acidity can begin to damage tooth enamel and dissolve its minerals.
If you really need that ice cold soda, we recommend drinking through a straw, so the sugar will not come into contact with your teeth while drinking. As for sugary snacks, try to find alternatives, such as sugar free gum.
Sports Protection
Summer is the perfect time to enjoy outdoor sports, but it can also put you at risk of dental injuries. Wearing a protective mouthguard is known to be very effective at preventing injuries to your face, teeth and mouth during sports activities. That way you can avoid swelling, cuts, bruises and knocking of your teeth.
Maintain Oral Health Routine
Although it’s the season of relaxing and having fun, that doesn’t mean your summer oral health routine should take a backseat. Continue to brush your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste twice per day and floss daily to clean out all of the BBQ remains.
Protect Your Lips
Despite oral health focusing on teeth and gums, it’s also important to take care of your lips too. While applying sun cream to your skin, don’t forget to apply a SPF lip balm to your lips to avoid dryness and - in some cases - blistering.
Here at Dentalia in Basingstoke, we provide dental care for all the family. As Summer approaches it’s important to take extra care and make sure you don’t let your summer oral health routine slip. This includes booking your back to school dental appointment to ensure there has been no damage during the holidays and to speak with your dentist on how to get ready for the upcoming school year.
To book your appointment call us today on 01256 353033.
