5 Ways to Keep Your Smile Safe in the Summer

Summer is one of our favorite times of the year. It’s often full of vacations, swimming, and outdoor fun. There are also some special risks to your smile that come with the season.

Here are 5 ways to keep your smile happy all summer long:

Protect your teeth when swimming – The acidity of chlorine in swimming pools can damage your tooth enamel. If you own a pool, make sure the water PH is not too acidic. You can also protect your teeth by rinsing with drinking water throughout the day and after swimming.  Do not brush your teeth within an hour of pool time as the enamel may still be vulnerable.

Limit sodas, lemonade, and other sweet or acidic drinks – Sugar and acid are both dangerous for your teeth. If you drink something sweet or acidic, try drinking through a straw to limit the impact on your smile. Rinsing with water afterwards can also help.

Stay hydrated – Not drinking enough water can cause your mouth to be dry and more susceptible to cavities. It is important for both your health and your teeth to stay hydrated throughout the day.

Limit sweet treats – Sticky candies get stuck on your teeth and hard candies soak them in sugar for a long time. The solution is to brush and floss after eating them. If that is not possible, rinse with water or chew sugarless gum. Even better, enjoy fresh fruits and avoid them completely.

Protect your lips from the sun – Using lip balm with SPF 15 or more can prevent sun damage and skin cancer. Your lips are especially vulnerable because the skin is very thin and they are exposed to the sun year round.

We encourage you to take special care to protect your smile during the summer. Brushing and flossing daily are just as important while you are on vacation as any other day.

And, for many of you, summer time off school and work will be the perfect time to catch up on your dental visits.

Give us a call at (714) 633-2562  KN Dentistry, Orange CA