With the summer quickly rolling in, it’s time to start prepping your smile for the months ahead. Changes in weather require changes in your oral hygiene and bodily health as a whole. To get the most out of the amazing weather to come, you need to know how to treat your teeth this time of year. Here are some super summer oral health tips that you can use when the temperature rises.
Wear Mouth Guards If You Play Sports
If you play any sort of summer sport, make sure you wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. Even something as simple as baseball or volleyball could lead to a dental emergency. Rather than putting your smile at risk, you can wear a mouth guard to create a shield in front of your teeth. It may not be comfortable to wear, but it’ll surely be more comfortable than a smile full of missing or broken teeth.
Stay Hydrated
It is so important to stay hydrated during the summer, not just for the sake of your smile but for your body as a whole. You are much more likely to get dehydrated in the summer when the temperatures are up and the sun is beating down on your skin. Drink a minimum of eight 8 ounce glasses of water a day, or more if you are athletic or extremely active. This will help you flush out your mouth after you eat, and it will ensure that you don’t get dry mouth.
Avoid Sugary Junk Foods
You may be tempted to fill your body with potato chips and snow cones over the summer, but that’s not good for your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth that causes decay and bad breath feed on sugars for survival. That’s why your dentist tells you to stay away from an excessive amount of candy. It’s going to lead to cavities, gum recession, halitosis, and much more. Keep the sugar rushes to a minimum, and be sure to brush your teeth well if you do go on a sweet-spree.
NOTE: Starchy foods like potato chips can also be fuel sources for bad bacteria in your mouth. It is better to stick with a nice, healthy salad instead of a bag of chips when you need something to go with your turkey sandwich or barbecue chicken. The healthier you eat, the better off your smile will be.
