With summer officially here, it’s when many of us think about spending more time outside, enjoying the long sunny days. Summer can be great for general health, as sunlight provides plenty of vitamin D, which helps make it easier for your body to absorb calcium, phosphate, and magnesium, all of which are important for dental health. However, there are some downsides to the season, and it’s important to know how these could affect your oral health. Listed below are some easy tips to help keep your mouth in great shape this summer.
Paying Lip Service
The skin on the lips is quite delicate and prone to sunburn, increasing the risk of some cancers. Unfortunately, lips are often overlooked when you apply sunscreen. Make sure you use a sunscreen specially formulated for lips with a high SPF and reapply regularly.
Staying Hydrated
A cooling soft drink can be very tempting during summer, but many are high in sugars. While some people will opt for sugar-free versions, these often contain a lot of acids that can cause tooth enamel erosion in Newcastle. Fruit juice is tasty, but again can be high in sugar and acid, so it’s better to enjoy the actual fruit, especially if it is in season. The best option for staying well-hydrated is water, and ordinary tap water is just fine. A cooling drink of icy water will keep you refreshed and hydrated on the hottest summer day without damaging your dental health, but be sure not to crunch down on those ice cubes which could crack and chip your tooth enamel.
Tooth Sensitivity
If a frozen treat makes your teeth twinge with pain, it could be time to come and see us here at West Bowmanville Family Dental. Many things can cause sensitive teeth, and sometimes it is due to untreated dental problems like a chip or crack in a tooth, a loose filling or untreated tooth decay in Clarington. Our dentist can assess your dental health and, if needed, will provide suitable treatment so you can enjoy an ice cream comfortably. If you simply have more sensitive teeth, it can also be worth using toothpaste specially formulated for this problem to help reduce sensitivity in the longer term. These usually take a while to work, so you need to use the toothpaste for several weeks to get the full effect.
Protecting Your Teeth During Summer Sports
Many people love to play sports during the summer, but unfortunately, dental sporting injuries are all too common. These can be distressing and costly to put right, requiring a lifetime of restorative dental care. If there is a danger that you could take a blow to your mouth, talk to us about custom-made sports mouthguards in Courtice. We can make a sports mouthguard specifically to fit over your teeth, providing maximum protection while still being comfortable to wear.
Stop Using Your Teeth as Tools
It might seem convenient to open a packet or, even worse, a bottle using your teeth, but it can greatly increase the risk of damaging your mouth. Please take a few moments to fetch the right tools as it could help you avoid a great deal of pain.
Sticking to Your Regular Oral Care Routine
During the long lazy days of summer, it’s easy to fall out of the habit of brushing and flossing regularly, and the consequences can severely impact your dental health. However, even if you are busy, it only takes a couple of minutes to brush your teeth thoroughly and will help you maintain a healthy and beautiful smile.
