If you want to keep your smile healthy and strong this summer, you may be wondering what steps you can take to avoid cavities and other common oral health issues like gingivitis. In this blog, the team at Cardinal Family Dentistry will take a look at a few steps that both adults and kids can take to maintain healthier smiles. Let’s get started.
Staying hydrated is essential if you’re in the summer sun, and helps you avoid overheating. It’s good for your teeth, too. Proper hydration stimulates the flow of saliva, which washes away food particles and helps maintain the proper pH in your mouth. This, in turn, prevents cavities.
We recommend tap water over bottled water. Not only is it cheaper, but it’s fluoridated, so drinking plenty of water can actually strengthen your teeth this summer!
From soda to lemonade, sweet tea, hard seltzer, and even beer and cocktails, the delicious, cool drinks of summer can be very dangerous for your teeth. Limit the amount of these drinks you consume, and consider following them up with a glass of water to rinse away acid and sugar. This will help keep your mouth healthy.
Cookies, candy, cake and other sweet treats are staples of summer parties and barbecues. Starchy snacks like pretzels and chips can also help feed the bacteria that cause tooth decay. For the sake of your teeth, make sure you don’t over-indulge, and keep an eye on what your kids are eating, too. Consider rinsing out your mouth after eating sugary treats or starchy snacks to eliminate some food particles. This can help prevent cavities.
Don’t let late summer nights or sleeping in during the day interrupt your children’s oral care routine, or your own oral hygiene routine.
You and your family should be brushing at least twice a day for two minutes, and flossing once per day to remove food particles and bacteria that can’t be removed with brushing alone. Use a fluoridated toothpaste, and be very thorough.
Getting a dental cleaning before school starts back up is a good way to ensure that the summer hasn’t taken its toll on your children’s teeth, or on your own teeth. It’s also easier to schedule, since you won’t have to worry about your child missing any school for a dentist’s appointment. With a cleaning from Dr. Sarah S. Barker, you and your family can ensure your mouths are healthy and your teeth are strong!
Overdue for a cleaning? Don’t wait. Make sure you’re taking care of your smile this summer by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Sarah S. Barker. Whether you’re in Apex, New Hill, Cary, or Holly Springs, the team at Cardinal Family Dentistry is here to help you and your entire family get the expert dental care you need. Contact us online or give us a call at 919-589-5001 for an appointment.
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