Summer has officially arrived! Whether you have travel plans, get togethers, or just lazing around the pool and house, it can be challenging to stay on track with dental hygiene routine. With summer temptations all around us, it is crucial to keep up with good oral hygiene habits. This helps to avoid unexpected dental emergencies and costly dental work. Here are a few tips to keep you and your family smiling all summer long and free from dental mishaps.
- New summer season = new toothbrush
This is a great time to replace old toothbrushes. If you have kids, have them pick out their own summertime toothbrush and mouthwash. Stock up on travel-size toothpaste and extra toothbrushes for those weekend getaways. In fact, our team recommends having a dental kit with travel-size tooth paste, tooth brush and floss ready to go.
2. Make brushing teeth fun again.
With extra time in the mornings and evenings, make brushing teeth fun by playing your favorite tunes. Not only will it make brushing fun, you can get a small dance workout in at the same time. For kids who are away from home, the new line of Kids Sonicare toothbrushes have apps that reward and keep your kids on track.
3. Pass up the juice and jelly beans
Ice pops, ice creams, barbeques, frozen sweet drinks, juices and soda pops are some of our favorite summer treats. Unfortunately, these type of foods can wreak havoc on your teeth. The sugars found in ‘junk’ foods and drinks fuel bacteria that causes cavities. Choose water to stay hydrated and cool. Stock up on healthy snacks like watermelon, berries, corn, veggies and cheese when the munchies hit. That said, it’s ok to indulge in ‘junk’ foods and drinks once in awhile. Just make sure to brush and floss right after.
4. Ice ice baby?
As tempting as it maybe to chew on ice for relief from the summer heat, try to avoid this completely. Eating ice damages your teeth enamel and increases your chances of chipping or breaking your teeth. Use ice to cool your drinks, not as something to chew on.
5. Mouth guard
Planning on an adventurous vacation or recreational sports this summer? Make sure to pack and use mouth guards to prevent potential mouth injuries. While contact sports are higher risks of mouth injuries, you can acquire mouth injuries from non contact sports like skating, gymnastics, zip lining and water skiing. It is recommended for both adults and children.
6. Plan your dental visits
Now is the time to see your dentist for your routine and special visits. There’s no better time to get started with Invisalign, removing wisdom teeth, or that new bright beach smile. It’s also prudent to have a cleaning and dental check up before traveling. You don’t want to ruin vacation fun with a dental emergency. Our team is thorough and will check for any potential dental issues that can be taken care of before your exciting summer plans.