Summertime is finally here—get ready for lots of poolside fun and sunny days filled with adventure! But while you’re out enjoying yourself, something to keep in mind is your oral health! There are quite a few summertime activities that are harmful to your smile, and there’s nothing like a trip to your dentist to derail your plans! Here are some of the activities and items you should be mindful of this summer if you want to preserve and protect your beautiful smile.
Cold Treats
There’s nothing better than a sno-cone or a popsicle on a hot summer day—but treats like these can cause you pain if your teeth are sensitive to the cold. This sensitivity can stem from a variety of reasons, including cavities or exposed tooth roots. You should consider using a toothpaste designed for people with sensitive teeth, rather than a whitening one. Also avoid using a hard-bristled toothbrush and be careful not to brush too hard. Steering clear of foods that could potentially chip or crack your teeth is also wise, as those issues can also make your teeth more sensitive.
Sweet Drinks
Who doesn’t love cooling off with an ice-cold glass of lemonade? Many of the refreshing beverages that we enjoy during the summertime including lemonade, soda, sports drinks, sweet tea, and more are very high in sugar and can cause cavities! You should refrain from drinking them when possible and opt for water instead; water is the absolute best drink for your oral health. You should also try not to sip your drinks constantly throughout the day; instead, have a drink and then rinse your mouth with water.
Summer Games and Sports
Summer is a great time to enjoy the outdoors and partake in many fun sports and games; however, many of these activities can also cause damage to your teeth, mouth, and gums if you aren’t careful. Be mindful of the following activities:
- Contact sports – Football, basketball, and more all pose a risk of injury. Mouth guards are a good option to help protect you from injury, but they’re not a guarantee.
- Non-contact sports – Even sports like baseball, flag football, biking, skateboarding, and more pose a threat to your mouth, whether it’s a foul ball, errant pass, or bad fall.
- Trampolining – If you fall off or hit the side of the trampoline, you could injure your mouth. Someone else bouncing on the trampoline could also hit your mouth on accident.
- Swimming – Sometimes swimming in a pool with improper pH levels can damage your tooth enamel. A good rule of thumb is if your nose burns from smelling the pool water, the pH level is too low.
Even though there are many summertime activities that could potentially harm your smile, it doesn’t mean you have to completely give up having fun! Just be mindful of certain things and take caution when necessary.
About the Practice
At Bell Road Dental Care of Phoenix, Dr. Reza Jafari and his team go above and beyond to provide every patient with a comfortable, pleasant experience that helps them achieve their smile goals. Dr. Jafari received his dental doctorate from the Boston University School of Dental Medicine and is a member of the American Dental Association, the Arizona Dental Association, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. His practice is proud to offer many services including preventive, cosmetic, restorative options and more. If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jafari, feel free to contact him online or give him a call: (602) 404-3483.