4 SMART SUMMERTIME DENTAL WELLNESS PRACTICES

Summertime counts as a special time for countless Americans. If you always look forward to this season, you may appreciate some extra downtime from school or fun holidays such as Independence Day. However, you shouldn't let that summer fun spoil your dental hygiene or wellness.

A few smart measures can help you and your loved ones enjoy a relaxing, fun-filled summer without paying an extra-large dental bill as a side effect of all that celebrating. Take the following four summertime dental wellness practices to heart so that you can face the turning of the leaves with a healthy mouth.

1. Choose Summer Snacks With Care

More time to enjoy yourself this summer also means more time to eat, and you may not necessarily choose the healthiest foods for your body or teeth. Remember that many favorite snacks contain starches that stick to tooth surfaces, causing plaque and tartar to accumulate. If you eat these foods, rinse your mouth with water afterward.

Fortunately, many foods that support healthy teeth also make great summertime snacks. Center your snacking habits on foods such as nuts, cheese, yogurt, carrots, celery sticks, and apples. If you need a sweet treat, choose sugar-free options whenever possible.

2. Hydrate, but Not With Just Anything

You probably understand the importance of staying hydrated in the summer heat, especially if you and your loved ones engage in vigorous outdoor activities. Even so, you must think about what fluids you actually choose for that hydration since some of them can do more harm than good to your dental health.

Fruit juices, sugary sodas, and sports drinks can certainly keep you hydrated. However, they can also promote tooth decay by providing a food source for bacteria. The bacteria then emit acids that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Plain water offers a much more tooth-healthy hydration option.

Even certain kinds of water can cause problems for your teeth this summer. For instance, although carbonated water can quench a summer thirst, it can also prove highly acidic, leading to thin, weak enamel and sensitive teeth. Even accidental exposure to chlorinated pool water can cause this problem due to its acidity.

3. Pack a Dental Emergency Kit for Road Trips

As COVID restrictions ease and more people receive vaccinations against the virus, summertime road trips will most likely regain their former appeal. Part of the planning that goes into such a trip should include preparations for emergencies, including dental emergencies that you might encounter when far away from dental assistance.

Until you can get to a dentist for the proper examination and treatment, you can benefit greatly from a thoughtfully packed dental emergency kit. Load this kit with over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs, an ice pack to reduce swelling, temporary filling material, and temporary dental cement (in case you lose a crown).

4. Don't Let Summer Freedom Affect Your Dental Routine

Schedules tend to go by the wayside during the summer months, especially when kids find themselves temporarily freed from the rigors of school. However, that newfound flexibility shouldn't extend to your family members' dental hygiene routine. Make sure that every member of the household continues to brush and floss regularly.

Oddly enough, the freedom to set your own schedule during summer vacation can encourage you to delay or forget about dental appointments even though you have more time to keep them. Maintain your normal schedule of preventative exams and cleanings no matter how loosely you organize the rest of your time.

Carlino & Paton DDS PC can help you stay current on your family's dental exams, cleanings, and treatments this summer and all year round. Contact our office today to schedule those appointments.