Warm weather is officially here! While celebrations with family and friends are surely on your mind, take into consideration the ways you can keep your dental health intact this summer season. Below we’ve rounded up some of our favorite tips and tricks to keep your mouth healthy and set you up for success this summer.
- Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated is crucial to your well-being and oral health. Leftover food particles and bacteria from acidic beverages weaken your teeth. According to the American Dental Association, water works to clean your mouth with every sip as it washes away food and residue while diluting acid-causing bacteria. This summer, swap out your favorite sugary drinks for a refreshing glass of ice water instead!
- Nutritious Food, Healthy Teeth
Consuming an abundance of sugary sweets and acidic beverages increases your likelihood of tooth decay. There are plenty of healthy options that still bring summer fun, like watermelon. Work to maintain a well balanced diet and notice the difference it makes for your teeth this holiday season.
- Go Easy on Alcohol
Moderate drinking can be a part of a healthy lifestyle. However, the overconsumption of alcohol stains your teeth and limits your production of saliva. Decreased saliva production is directly correlated with bad breath and no one wants that.
In the long term, tooth decay and gum disease are more prevalent in heavy drinkers. Understand how alcohol affects your oral health so that you can make educated decisions about the food and drink you ingest.
- Exercise Caution, Avoid Dental Emergencies
The summer season brings about an uptick in the amount of dental emergencies. Chipped and knocked out teeth are among the most common tooth related injuries sustained during this time. Don’t spend your break in the waiting room, go slow around the pool! Also, always avoid diving into water when you don’t know the depth.
We hope you have a safe and enjoyable summer! Stay safe and don’t forget to brush.
