Summertime and Your Oral Health

Get out and enjoy what the sun and warm temps have to offer but be aware of the hidden dangers that Summer can present for your teeth and gums.

Yes, it's a glorious time for just about everyone. Now that Summer is here, our future holds the promise of fun-in-the-sun day trips to the beach, BBQs at the park or the backyard, long weekends in the lush countryside at our favorite Bed and Breakfast or, maybe even a week or two somewhere exotic like Mexico or the Bahamas. And kiddos, the Summer months mean a welcome respite from the daily grind of school and homework. All in all, it's good to be able to take a break from our usual routines and get to do something different. But not when it comes to taking care of our teeth and gums. That's one important routine that must be maintained at all costs.

When the heat cranks up and the sun shines its brightest, our thoughts naturally turn to protecting our skin from sunburn and melanoma. One of the first things most of us do at the onset of Summer is make sure that we have enough sunscreen on hand. However, few of us give a thought to the harmful effects that the heat and humidity can have on our mouths. Not to mention the joyful and welcome disruption of the same old day-in and day-out routine. Just because you have a packed schedule of swimming, biking, hiking or simply sunbathing at Jones beach or Coney Island doesn't give you an excuse to let your guard down when it comes to your oral health. After all, just a little proactive self-care for your teeth and gums can go a long way to making sure that your Summer of fun isn't interrupted with a painful, emergency trip to the dentist. Who needs that?

First off, it is vital that, no matter what you're doing or where the Summer takes you, brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss daily in order to remove food particles that may be trapped between your teeth. Don't give plaque and bacteria any excuse to grow and destroy the enamel on your teeth. If you are not vigilant then cavities may be looming in your future. Before leaving for vacation, be sure to pack a clean toothbrush, floss and your favorite toothpaste. You don't want to have to waste time searching for a Walgreens or CVS in a strange city to purchase items that you could just as easily have brought along. And please remember to store your toothbrush properly. After using it, let the toothbrush air dry. Putting a wet, soggy toothbrush into a closed container, knapsack or shoulder bag can promote the growth of bacteria on it. That DOES sound kind of gross, so be mindful.

Another very useful tip is to always KEEP HYDRATED. Sip water throughout the day. It is sneakily easy for the hot temperatures to catch up with you, leading to a variety of unpleasant symptoms such as excessive sweating, dizziness, nausea and DRY MOUTH. Dehydration leads to a decrease in saliva production which, as your dentist will tell you, is essential for neutralizing harmful acids which can lead to tooth decay and gum disease if left unchecked. In addition to combating dry mouth, water also helps to wash away bacteria and food particles. Were you aware that extreme changes in temps can cause the enamel on your teeth to crack? Yes, indeed. Sometimes swings in temperature can make the dentine and enamel expand or contract, which can lead to tooth sensitivity and pain.

When the heat is at its highest, we turn to super-cold drinks to find relief. Unfortunately, those choices usually include an over-indulgence of sugary sodas or acidic beverages like iced tea & iced coffee (remember coffee also stains the teeth) and lemonade. Make every attempt to limit these types of drinks and please do not add sugar to your coffee or tea. Stay on point, oral-health wise, by substituting FRESH fruit juices, cold refreshing milk and water, whenever you can. Sugar is the friend of cavities and YOUR oral health enemy. While we're on the subject of Summertime beverages, avoid chewing on ice cubes. Okay, let's be real ; we all tend to chew ice. But the consequences can be severe. The extreme cold can weaken tooth enamel, as we referenced earlier, and that, in turn may lead to the hard ice chipping or cracking a tooth. Ice can even irritate the soft tissues in your mouth, cutting your gums or the roof of your mouth. Please, just let the ice cubes dissolve into your drink or toss the remaining ones into the nearest sink. Resist the urge to chew on them.

When enjoying a cold beverage at a picnic or strolling around doing errands, think about using a reusable straw. It's not only a great choice to help protect the environment, a reusable straw will allow whatever you're drinking to flow directly to the back of your mouth. So, even if you are sipping a soda or iced coffee, the direct impact on your teeth will be absolutely minimal. This reduces the chance of the sugary drink harming or staining your enamel. Here's another tip; one that most of us wouldn't think is obvious but can totally have a positive effect on your oral health during the lazy,crazy days of Summer. When the temps hit ninety degrees or more and it seems as though there's no relief in sight ,there is nothing like a dip in either a backyard swimming pool or a public pool in a local park. However, the drawback is that all swimming pools contain a certain amount of chlorine, which can be harmful to one's enamel. Try not to keep your mouth open while swimming and be certain to rinse with fresh water afterward in order to neutralize the effects that chlorine can have on your teeth.

While sports are played all year-round, the warmer weather encourages us to get outside more often, whether it be for a pick-up game of basketball at the neighborhood courts , getting together with friends for pickleball, softball or baseball or cheering our kids on at Soccer camp. Make certain that both you and the kiddos practice any and all safety precautions when participating in contact sports such as wearing a MOUTH GUARD. Yes, mouth guards can feel a bit cumbersome before you get used to wearing them. But, they will keep that beautiful smile intact and prevent unsightly chipped or broken teeth, not to mention the potential for a tooth getting knocked out of your (or your child's) mouth. And, we keep those cold water bottles handy, even if you are just a spectator . The heat can catch up with you very fast and you don't want dehydration to set in.

Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy a worry-free Summer when it comes to your oral health. Remember to make time and schedule a visit to the family dentist BEFORE the school year begins. This way, your dental professional can catch any potential problems like cavities asap and your child won't have to suffer through pain and infection and miss any school time.