The Effects of Summer on Your Teeth

Did you know that the summer can negatively affect your healthy smile? The extreme heat and dry climates can harm your teeth and surrounding tissues. High humidity also leads to sweating, which results in loss of hydration and oral tissue problems. Here are a few ways to properly care for your teeth during the summer.

If you keep yourself hydrated, you’ll reduce the risk of tooth decay and keep your skin and gums healthy. Consume plenty of water and ignore sugary drinks like lemonade. Citric acid and sugar with a dry mouth can cause tooth decay.

Protect your lips with lip balm or gloss to prevent dry, chapped lips. Find products with a minimum SPF factor of 15 to ward off possible risks of skin cancer. Lips are the most susceptible to burning compared to other parts of the body.

Snack intelligently by choosing the right fruits as your summer treats. Watermelon is a great fruit as it helps clean your mouth with its high water content. Other citrus fruits are acidic and can result in the erosion of tooth enamel. Remember to brush and rinse an hour after consumption to rid your mouth of the fruit’s acids.

If you’re participating in outdoor activities, wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. Mouth guards protect your teeth, lips, gums, and cheeks and are cost-effective.

Because of high chlorine content found in swimming pools, too much swimming can lead to erosion and weakening of teeth. Brush your teeth following a swim to prevent damage from the pool chemicals. On the other hand, swimming in an ocean can cut down oral bacteria because of the high levels of salt in oceans.

Don’t skip the first meal of the day. If you skip breakfast, you’re more likely to snack on unhealthy foods throughout the day. Just make sure to brush your teeth an hour later after a big breakfast.

Call our office today to schedule your teeth cleaning.