During the lazy days of summer, it’s important to remember that summer oral health doesn’t take a vacation. In fact, the summer months often come with a host of dental challenges, ranging from sugary treats to outdoor activities that can put our teeth at risk. But with a few simple tips from Penn Dental Medicine at PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar, you can ensure that your family’s summertime teeth stay healthy and bright all summer long and are ready for going back to school.
8 Tips for Protecting Smiles and Preventing Cavities in the Summer
Wonder how to keep your teeth healthy during the summer? It’s never been easier when you follow these simple tips.
1. Don’t forget your regular oral hygiene routine
The importance of oral health for overall health is all year-round. Even when on vacation, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily to remove any food particles that are trapped between your teeth. Additionally, consider a mouthwash to help kill bacteria and keep your mouth clean and breath fresh.
Also, don’t forget to pack your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss if you go on vacation, and store your toothbrush properly. Putting a wet toothbrush into a closed container or your bag can cause bacteria growth. Make sure to let it air dry whenever possible.
2. Watch out for sugary foods and beverages
From ice cream cones and popsicles to smores and soda, it’s hard to resist sweet treats. But sugary foods and beverages are a major culprit when it comes to dental issues. The bacteria in your mouth thrive on sugar, producing acids that can wear away tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Opt for healthier choices like fresh fruits or nutritious snacks to satisfy your cravings without harming your teeth. And chew sugar-free gum, which can help combat dry mouth, neutralize harmful acids in the mouth, freshen breath, and wash away food particles.
3. Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day not only keeps you cool and refreshed but also helps maintain good oral health by washing away food particles and debris from your mouth.
Additionally, another common issue during warmer months is dry mouth, which is caused when dehydration and outdoor activities lead to a decrease in saliva production. This can increase the risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Combat dry mouth by regularly sipping on cold water.
4. Use a mouthguard when playing summer sports
The summer months are filled with outdoor activities and sports. If you’re engaging in contact sports like basketball or soccer, wearing a mouthguard can help prevent tooth damage, broken teeth, or even knocked-out teeth.
5. Protect your lips
While we know it’s important to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays, we often overlook our lips. Sun exposure can lead to dryness, chapping, and even painful blisters. Protect lips with a lip balm that contains SPF and reapply every couple of hours, especially if you’re swimming or sweating.
6. Avoid chewing on ice
While there’s nothing more satisfying than crunching on ice cubes to cool down when it’s hot, their cold temperature and hard texture can weaken tooth enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to fractures, chips, or even complete breakage. Chewing on ice can also irritate the soft tissues in our mouth, leading to painful mouth sores or cuts.
7. Use reusable straws
Although refreshing, surgery or acidic beverages like iced coffee, fruit smoothies, or cold soda can impact oral health because they have direct contact with teeth, increasing the risk of tooth decay and erosion. Fortunately, a straw can help by guiding the beverage to the back of the mouth, minimizing exposure to harmful substances. (Plus, when you use a reusable straw, you’re making a great choice for the environment.)
8. Schedule a dental appointment before the kids return to school
Regular checkups are vital to maintaining good oral health for kids and the rest of the family, and your PDM at PHMC on Cedar dentist can clean your teeth, identify any potential issues, and provide personalized advice for your dental situation.
Summer, Fall, Winter, or Spring: PDM at PHMC on Cedar Is Here for You
While there’s nothing more satisfying than crunching on ice cubes to cool down when it’s hot, their cold temperature and hard texture can weaken tooth enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to fractures, chips, or even complete breakage. Chewing on ice can also irritate the soft tissues in our mouth, leading to painful mouth sores or cuts.
Enjoy the summer, but don’t forget to take care of your teeth with these simple tips! And when you’re ready to make a back-to-school appointment for your family, please don’t hesitate to call us at 855-887-9229 or complete our form. We provide a full range of dental services that will keep your summer oral health at its best and brightest at our state-of-the-art Penn Dental Medicine location at the PHMC Public Health Campus on Cedar (501 S. 54th St. in Philadelphia. We look forward to seeing you there.
