Summer brings warm weather, family vacations, and a much-needed break from the usual school and work routines. While it is incredibly easy to let daily schedules slide, you should never put your oral health on vacation. Late nights, irregular brushing, and extra sweet treats can quickly lead to unwanted cavities.
You can enjoy everything the season has to offer while protecting your smile. Keep your family’s smiles healthy all season long with these eight simple, preventive dental tips.
1. Stick to Your Daily Brushing and Flossing Routine
Without the regular morning rush for school and work, kids and adults alike might forget to brush. Consistency is the key to preventing plaque buildup. Ensure everyone in the house continues to brush twice a day for two full minutes and flosses every night. Try setting a fun summer alarm or playing a favorite two-minute song to keep the habit strong.
2. Drink Plenty of Water
Hot weather requires extra hydration. While grabbing a cold soda, sweet tea, or sports drink sounds refreshing, these beverages coat your teeth in cavity-causing sugar and acid. Instead, encourage your family to drink plain water. Water naturally washes away lingering food particles, keeps your mouth from getting dry, and strengthens your enamel if your local tap water contains fluoride.
3. Limit Sugary Summer Snacks
BBQ, lemonade, popsicles, and alcoholic drinks are classic summer staples. You do not have to ban them completely, but you should enjoy them in moderation. To prevent cavities, prioritize smile-friendly snacks. Carrots, celery, cheese sticks, watermelon, berries, and yogurt are excellent alternatives. These healthy foods actually help scrub teeth clean and neutralize harmful mouth acids.
4. Pack Smile-Friendly Travel Kits
Going on a family road trip or catching a flight? Pack a small dental care kit for every family member. Include a travel toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, and floss. Keeping these items handy makes it simple to freshen up after a long drive, a sticky roadside snack, or a meal at the airport. If you store your toothbrush with a cover or in a baggie, make sure to remove it once you reach your destination to avoid storing it in a moist environment longer than necessary.
5. Protect Teeth During Summer Sports
If you or your kids participate in any contact sports, make sure to use a well-fitting mouthguard. A simple, custom mouthguard absorbs impact and prevents chipped or knocked-out teeth, saving you from a stressful trip to an emergency dentist.
6. Don’t Ever Chew Ice
Chewing on the cool, refreshing ice might be refreshing and even sound healthy, but it is a major hazard for your teeth. The extreme cold and hard surface of ice can cause micro-fractures in your enamel or even break a tooth entirely. Enjoy your iced drinks, but remind everyone in the family to leave the ice cubes alone.
7. Use Lip Balm with SPF
People often remember to apply sunscreen to their face and body, but completely forget their lips. The delicate skin on your lips is highly susceptible to severe sunburns and even skin cancer. Keep a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 handy and apply it generously before heading to the pool, or anywhere else you’ll be outside this summer.
8. Schedule a Summer Dental Check-Up
Summer is the absolute perfect time to book your family dental visits. You do not have to worry about pulling the kids out of class or navigating hectic after-school schedules. A professional cleaning removes stubborn plaque buildup, and your dentist can catch any small issues before the busy fall season begins.
Summer should be about making memories, not dealing with unexpected dental issues. Call our office today to schedule convenient appointments for the whole family, and start summer with a healthy, confident smile!