Summer is starting to wind down, which means that you have just a few weeks left to enjoy all the summery things you may have missed out on. However, if you’re scrambling to fit as much fun as possible into a small amount of time, you still shouldn’t neglect your teeth.
There are actually several ways that you can damage your teeth this summer—if you want to avoid an emergency trip to the dentist’s, here are some things you ought to watch out for.
Dental Emergencies at the Pool
Swimming is a must in the summer—here in Texas, the heat is basically intolerable otherwise. If you’re taking a trip to the public pool, you should keep in mind that there are several things that may go wrong. Running by the pool or diving into the shallow end can lead to all kinds of accidents, including a chipped tooth.
Even if you’re careful, there are also other swimmers to consider. Children in particular aren’t the most conscious of their surroundings, and someone may suddenly emerge right next to youand bump right into your teeth. For these reasons, you should follow all pool rules and be sure to think about what people near you are doing while you’re swimming.
Summer Foods That Teeth Aren’t Fans Of
Ice cream and popsicles are hard to resist this time of year, but the sugar in them can cause serious cavities. While indulging every once in a while isn’t a problem, you should be sure to brush your teeth thoroughly when you do.
Moreover, there’s one habit that picks up this time of year that’s terrible for oral health: chewing ice. This scrapes away your enamel, and in some cases can even crack a tooth.
The Oral Health Hazards of Dry Mouth
It’s easy to become a little bit dehydrated in the summer, which is pretty bad for your oral health. This reduces saliva production, which means that food particles aren’t broken down as efficiently. As a consequence, you may have an excess of bacterial buildup.
You should be sure that you’re staying hydrated this summer—carry water with you, especially if you’re going to be outside for any amount of time.
About Our Practice
At Taylor Choice Dental, we know that to keep our patients coming back we need to go the extra mile. That’s why everyone at our practice, from our dentists to our office staff, are deeply dedicated to the practice of making the people who visit our office as comfortable as possible. That’s without even mentioning our dedication to clinical excellence, which means that we constantly stay on top of all the latest developments in oral medicine.
If you have any questions about how to protect your smile this summer, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (737) 301-8555.