Dental Care Tips for Summer!

There is nothing like summer weather to get you into vacation mode. While summer is a time for relaxation, don’t neglect your mouth and teeth. Here are 5 tips that will help you have fun during the summer vacation while keeping your mouth and teeth healthy all summer long.

1) drink water- keep your mouth moist throughout the day. Most people do not know that water is effective in washing out plaque-causing bacteria and is beneficial for your breath.

2) cut down on high sugary beverages. Sugary drinks have an enormous impact on your oral health. Skip carbonated drinks as it wears away the enamel. Instead replace with- water, unsweetened tea, plain sparkling water and diluted juice. 

3) brush and floss regularly. The key here is to get in between your teeth and give your teeth very good cleaning each day. So make sure you are brushing all the surfaces (on the inside and out) and that the floss reaches down between each side of your tooth. 

4) do not chew on ice. While it can be tempting on a hot day, ice or other hard substances have been known to cause accidents which damage the teeth. Biting on ice also may wear on your teeth’s enamel. 

5) dry out your toothbrush. A wet toothbrush is a breeding site for bacteria. It is a shame to think all the trouble one might go to in order to brush his/her teeth, only to re-insert bacteria because the toothbrush was wet. So as soon as you get to your destination, take your toothbrush out of the case and stand it up in a cup so that any moisture drains away!

These are all little tips, but added up they can make a huge difference. Be informed so you can make educated choices about your teeth during the summer. 

Summer is the perfect time to schedule a dental checkup for the whole family. Even though most of us grown-ups are still just as busy during the summer, the children in our lives usually have a lot more time on their hands. We suggest you put some of this time to good use by scheduling your child’s semi-annual teeth cleaning & checkup during their summer vacation.