As you pack for your summer trip, you run through a list of essential things you need to bring. Automatically you bring some toothpaste and your toothbrush, which is a good start for keeping your smile strong. However, there are plenty of summer oral health tips you can take advantage of. Read on to learn what some of these tips are!
Drink Lots of Water
Although you may think of summer as the perfect time for lemonade, soda, or another fruity drink, these beverages typically have a lot of sugar and can be quite acidic. As a result, they can wear down your teeth’s enamel or lead to decay. Instead, drink more water from the tap, which has fluoride added to it to strengthen teeth. Water contains no sugar and can rinse away bacteria, food debris, and plaque, protecting your smile from cavities and gum disease.
If you really want to have a sugary, acidic drink, use a straw to bypass most of your teeth. In addition to water, you could drink tea, which contains compounds that actually fight harmful bacteria in your mouth. Just don’t add sugar!
Don’t Forget to Floss
During summer adventures, it’s easy to neglect your normal routine, especially if you’re away from home. However, you need to keep up with your daily oral hygiene habits, regardless of where you are and what activities you’re doing. After all, the bacteria in your mouth won’t take a vacation! After brushing, make sure you take just a couple of minutes each day to floss between your teeth to remove bits of food and plaque.
Wear a Mouthguard
Summer is a great time to be active. However, this could mean injuries. Whether you’re playing a pickup game of football, basketball in the park, or skateboarding, you could get hit in the face, damaging your smile. In these situations, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth and keep your emergency dentist’s number handy, just in case!
Visit the Dentist
If you haven’t had a checkup and cleaning within the last six months, you’re due for a dental visit. Going to the dentist on a regular basis not only keeps your teeth clean and bright but also ensures that dental emergencies don’t interfere with your summer plans. Summer is a great time to get this appointment done because most people have a little more free time on their hands. Plus, after you’ve spent so much time getting your body ready for swimsuit season, why not have a beach-ready smile too?
While you’re enjoying your summer plans, spare a little time to take care of your teeth and gums so that you can keep smiling when the season changes in a few months.
About the Practice
Brooks Dental has been serving in and around Winthrop for more than 40 years. Our team of skilled dentists have years of clinical experience and training under their belts and are proud to carry on the practice’s tradition of outstanding dental care. We provide comprehensive services including cosmetic and preventive procedures for patients of all ages, and we are conveniently open on Saturdays. To schedule your appointment at Brooks Dental, you can reach out to our team through our website or by calling 617-846-1811.