Summer is such a fun time of year! With the kids out of school, you have so many opportunities over the next several weeks to spend quality time together as a family. There are trips to the local pool, or maybe to the beach for family vacation, or even picnics in the park.
When it comes to protecting your family during the summer months, you plan ahead to make sure your kids are safe while they’re splashing around. You have swimmies for the little ones, and you bring along sunscreen wherever you go.
But what about the safety of all the smiles in your family? Along with all that fun in the sun, there are some things you should consider when protecting their teeth and gums. Summer brings fun, certainly, but it can also pose certain unique risks to your oral health that our team at Ardelean Family & Cosmetic Dentistry wants you to be aware of.
That’s what today’s blog is all about! We’re offering ways to keep those smiles shining bright while you’re on the go in the hot sun.
The Special Risks Of Summer
Now, don’t get us wrong. We’re not picking on summer. The fact is, each season poses its own unique threats to your oral health. But this doesn’t have to be a problem! The goal in our Clinton Township dental office is to help patients just like you be equipped with good information so you can make the best decisions to protect your family while you’re out enjoying the summer sun.
Damage Control: Be Careful With Crunching
It’s definitely understandable why you would want to chew on ice through the hot summer season. It’s cold and refreshing! But this is, unfortunately, a habit that’s really hard on your teeth. Yes, it might help to keep you cool, but over time, it causes a lot of wear and tear on your teeth, potentially to the point that it will literally wear them down and change their shape.
Another way this puts your teeth at risk is its structure. Crunching on anything as hard as ice could lead to a broken or damaged tooth. You definitely don’t want your family vacation ruined because you broke your tooth while chewing on ice!
Drink LOTS Of Water!
It’s no secret that water is essential to our bodies. We all grew up hearing that a person needed at least eight 8 oz. glasses of water per day. But studies are changing all the time, and more recently, research tells us we should drink as much as 2-3 liters daily. It’s hard to keep up, but the point is, we need a lot of it every single day.
That’s never more true than during the hot summer months. You’re outside more, you’re sweating more… so not only should you stay well hydrated all throughout the day for your overall health, but drinking plenty of water also prevents dry mouth.
Dry mouth can hurt your teeth because it inhibits your ability to produce saliva, and saliva is necessary to wash away food particles and debris left behind after you eat or drink. To keep the saliva flowing, drink plenty of water all day long!
When Comes To SPF Protection, Don’t Neglect Your Lips!
It’s easy to remember the sunscreen when it comes to your body, but equally important is the delicate skin of your lips. You’re at an increased risk for oral cancer when you’re out in the sun without proper SPF protection. Make sure you use an SPF lip balm while you’re out and about!
Beware The Dangers Of Chlorine!
One of the most popular, fun activities during the summer is swimming! Obviously, chlorine is a necessity when it comes to making public pools safe enough to swim in. But that really only means that the bacteria chlorine kills makes the water safe enough so that you won’t get physically sick. When it comes to your teeth, chlorine can actually be harmful because of all the acidity in swimming pools that can erode and weaken your tooth enamel.
Be sure to brush your teeth after spending time in the swimming pool to protect your teeth and gums from the acidity of pool water.
Pack Healthy Snacks!
Not only do you want to snack smart for your waistline during swimsuit season, you also want to do it for the health of your teeth and gums. Sugary treats like cookies, chips, and other highly processed foods that line the shelves of convenience stores and gas stations will put you at greater risk for tooth decay, cavities, and gum disease.
Instead, pack a cooler full of crunchy fruits and veggies. Celery, carrot sticks, and apples provide a nice crunch to help encourage saliva production. They also have the kind of texture that will help clean your teeth as you chew! Talk about a win-win!
Schedule An Appointment For Your Family’s Summer Checkup!
Let our Clinton Township dental office be one of the stops while you’re out and about this summer! Call our office today at 586-315-8987 or fill out our convenient online form to make your next appointment.
