Summer Oral Health: Tips for Keeping Your Smile Healthy During Vacation

As summertime is short and sweet, we like to take that time to relax and unwind. Whether vacationing at home or traveling, you may not be surprised to learn that dental problems tend to spike in the warmer months, resulting in serious health issues. There are several reasons, all of which can be minimized by keeping a few tips in mind:

Stay Hydrated – Your Mouth Depends On It

Drink more water than usual. When temperatures soar, we dehydrate quickly, leading to a dry mouth. When we aren’t producing enough saliva, sugar and acids accumulate in the mouth, encouraging bacterial growth and coating teeth with plaque.

Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water or sugar-free beverages, and limit your intake of sugary drinks and alcohol.

Stick to Your Oral Hygiene Routine

People drop or modify their oral care routine when on vacation for various reasons. It may not be as convenient to brush and floss, and everyone is tired at the end of a busy summer day, so it’s tempting to skip it. In addition, we tend to indulge in sugary foods and alcohol more during the summer months, and this is when it is most important to stay on top of oral care.

Flossing daily and brushing at least twice a day during the summer can help prevent tooth decay and gum disease.

Avoid Sugary and Carbonated Drinks

Staying hydrated during the summer is important, and how you hydrate is crucial. Drinks that contain sugar, such as lemonade (also highly acidic), and carbonated beverages tend to damage the enamel of your teeth; it’s important to minimize these quenchers and opt for water, coconut water, or green tea.

When you do indulge in sugar or carbonated beverages, use a straw to minimize the risk of tooth decay. The straw reduces your teeth’s exposure to acids by bypassing your teeth altogether.

Protect Your Teeth During Physical Activities

People are more physically active during the summertime. Whether playing baseball, surfing, skateboarding, or climbing, most of us engage in events that can damage our teeth. Wearing a mouthguard when participating in sports or activities could safeguard against a dental or facial injury. A broken or chipped tooth is no fun on vacation, particularly if you are away from home.

Use Sunblock on Your Lips

Although most people know that a high SPF sunscreen helps protect against skin cancer, many don’t realize that lip balm with sunblock should also be part of their summer routine. Exposure to the summer sun can lead to oral cancer and dry, cracked lips. While dry lips can be annoying, protection from oral cancer, which is dangerous and potentially fatal, is imperative. Be sure to reapply lip balm every few hours for full protection from the sun.

Don’t Skip Dental Checkups

A dental checkup and professional teeth cleaning may not be on top of your list of things to do during the summer. However, if your six-month check falls during the summer, proactively protecting your teeth year-round can prevent minor dental health issues from becoming major problems. Maintaining your professional hygiene routine with a checkup and cleaning to kick off the season and smile all summer.