Summer Safety for Your Smile

Summers are meant to be full of fun, family and recreation, but there are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to taking care of your smile.

One danger to your mouth in the summertime is that your teeth are likely to be exposed to more acidity. When it’s hot out you get thirsty more often and can consume more soda, lemonade, and sweet drinks. All of these are harmful to tooth enamel. We encourage you to limit these acidic drinks or swish your teeth with drinking water throughout the day to protect them.

We do want you to stay hydrated, though. Not drinking enough water can cause your mouth to be dry and more susceptible to cavities. Hydration is very important for both your mouth and overall health.

The acidity from chlorine in swimming pools and water parks can also be hard on your teeth. 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.

Sweet summer treats like sticky candies will cling to your teeth and hard candies soak them in sugar for long periods of 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 and tasty summer fruits and avoid them completely.

It’s also important to 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.

And lastly, don’t forget it’s just as important to brush and floss daily while you are on vacation as any other day.

We hope you are having a great summer and taking care of your smile at the same time. If you need anything or want to take advantage of vacation time off work for dental treatment, give us a call.

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KN Dentistry - Orange, CA - (714) 633-2562