Check out these oral health tips.
Summer is almost here. This means the sun is out, and the days are warmer. While this hot season brings seasonal comfort with its warmth, it also tends to upset regular dental routines. Dentists often link the summertime with extra tooth decay and cavities. Check out these oral health tips.
Keep Yourself Hydrated by Drinking Lots of Water
Hot days cause more sweating, meaning extra hydration is necessary to replace lost fluids. Although it can be tempting to choose sugary drinks such as sweet tea, sodas, and ice-cold lemonade to quench your thirst, these drinks tend to dehydrate you faster while worsening your oral health. When you drink sugar, the bacteria in your mouth grasp that sugar, making acid that erodes your teeth. As a result, cavities develop within your teeth.
If you struggle to drink water, try limiting your intake of sugary drinks by consuming low-sugar drinks like unsweetened teas, milk, and unsweetened sparkling waters. Slowly sipping sugary drinks keeps the sugar in your mouth longer, offering a great meal for hungry bacteria.
Limit Certain Foods
Another way to protect your oral health this summer is to limit certain foods that can harm it, including:
- If you have a sweet tooth, choose fresh fruit over baked goods, candy, pie, ice cream, and other sugary desserts.
- Did you know that most dried fruits contain substantial added sugars besides the fruit’s natural sugar content?
- Coffee, wine, pickles, citrus foods, and anything with vinegar or acidic properties can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear.
Lip Protection
Protecting your lips is also another oral health tip. The skin on your lips is fragile and contains less melanin, making them more sensitive to sunlight and more likely to get sunburnt on sunny days. As a result, excessive sun exposure could lead to skin cancer. To avoid this risk, protect your lips from the sun by applying a sunscreen Chapstick with at least 15 SPF.
Chew Less Ice
Do you tend to chew on leftover ice after drinking an ice-cold drink in a hot summer? Chewing on ice might harm your teeth, leading to the following problems:
- Your enamel protects your teeth from acid, sugar, and tooth decay. Damaged enamel is more susceptible to cavities.
- Ice can be hard enough to crack your teeth. If you have a broken tooth, make sure to put any parts of the tooth into a cup of milk and contact your Annapolis dentist immediately. Sometimes, cracked teeth can be saved if repaired quickly enough.
- Ice chewing can also damage any braces or dental fillings you might have.
If you crave ice, chew on something softer, such as sugar-free popsicles or shavings.
Regularly Visit Your Dentist
Regular oral health trips to your Annapolis dentist are necessary this summer. Keep up with semi-annual dental appointments even when you are busy having fun. At Annapolis Dental Care, our dentists can help guide your oral hygiene habits to keep you healthy. Call us today at 410-267-0766 to book an appointment!
Transform Your Smile with Annapolis Dental Care
Whether it’s a regular check-up you need or a tooth extracted, your dentist in Annapolis is here to serve! Annapolis Dental Care has the expertise and compassion to work with you on improving your oral health. Your comfort and health are our top priorities, and so we go above and beyond to make our patients happy and give them the highest quality care. Please give us a call at 410-267-0766 or visit us online. For more oral health tips for you and your family, follow us on Facebook, X, and YouTube! We are always looking for new patients, so if you live in Arnold, Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, MD, come on down!