During Summer our thoughts automatically shift to carefree days spent at the beach or enjoying a summer barbeque. Along with many of our summer activities comes food – most of it sweet, sticky and delicious. From ice cream cones licked sauntering down the beach promenade to candy floss at the local fun fair, many of our summer favourites can wreak havoc on our teeth. In addition to all of these seasonal treats comes the fact that summer is a time when we tend to drink more, and unless our drink of choice is water, the sugars in fizzy drinks, juices and sports drinks can harm our overall oral health.
So, how do we go about maintaining a healthy summer smile without having to give up many of our favourite activities and foods? The key to optimal oral health is in how we care for our teeth and gums, despite what types of foods and drinks go into our mouths. Of course, visiting the dentist for our dental health check is also important, if it’s time for a regular visit. But aside from that, here are a few tips to keep your teeth and gums healthy this summer…
Brush, brush, brush! – We always recommend that people brush their teeth at least twice a day – once upon waking and once before bedtime, to keep their teeth free from harmful bacteria that can cause decay. It’s also a good idea to brush after meals and snacks, especially when what you’re eating is sticky or sweet. Of course, we know proper tooth brushing is hard to do if you’re at the beach and you’ve just eaten an ice cream, but if you can’t brush your teeth, at least give your mouth a few swishes of water to try to get rid of anything that’s stuck to your teeth or chew sugar-free chewing gum.
Don’t forget to floss! – It’s always important to floss, but when what you’re eating is likely to get stuck between your teeth – like ribs and corn on the cob at a weekend barbeque – it’s especially important to get rid of any food particles that are stuck between teeth. And even if you don’t have access to brushing your teeth after meals and snacks, it’s easy to carry along some dental floss with you so you can at least clean between your teeth after eating.
Whoa! Take it easy! – This tip doesn’t mean you should relax when it comes to oral hygiene, rather it means that you should try to limit how often you eat. We know you’re probably not going to avoid the delicious foods associated with summer altogether, but try to limit how often you eat them, and even how often you eat anything. So rather than snacking all day long while out at a fun fair or theme park, try to limit the number of times you pop something into your mouth, even if you’re not going to limit how much you consume.
Water is your friend! – Not only is water the best way to hydrate on a hot summer day, it’s also a friend to your teeth. Drinking water instead of sugary drinks (yes, even sports drinks have loads of sugar!) is better for your teeth because it does not provide a breeding ground for bacteria to thrive. Water is also your friend when you can’t manage to brush. Just a few sips of water swished around your mouth can help rid your teeth of some of the particles that eating leaves behind.
Of course, summer is an extremely important time to keep to your regularly schedule preventative maintenance dental appointments, so be sure to take time out from all the fun and relaxation to take good care of your teeth and gums. That’s sure to keep you smiling all summer long!