Oral Health Tips for Summer

Enjoy The Summer Season In Warren Michigna With A Beautiful Smile

Changes in the weather can lead to changes in your oral health. With the summer quickly approaching, it is important to adjust your routines to reflect the food, drinks, dry lips, and activities to come. Check out these oral health tips for summer to keep your smile and breath as brilliant as possible.

Keep Your Body Hydrated

Most people know to keep themselves hydrated during the summer, but you might not realize that this will help you avoid bad breath. Dry mouth, caused by dehydration, can lead to a buildup of bacteria in your mouth. Drink at least 8 glasses of water (4 standard water bottles) a day to maintain your hydration, and increase that number on active days.

Avoid Drinking Too Much Lemonade

Lemonade is a summertime favorite, but it can wear away at the enamel on your teeth. The acidity of lemonade and other citrusy drinks erodes the outer layer of your teeth, which may make your teeth sensitive to changes in temperature. You can still enjoy your favorite drink in the heat, but try to do so sparingly.

Keep in mind that lemonade has a lot of Vitamin C in it, which is good for your teeth. With that in mind, Vitamin C may make you use the restroom more often than normal. This will cause your body to dehydrate over time. Drink a lot of water on days that you drink lemonade to make up for this.

Wear Mouth Guards for Sports

If you are going to play sports over the summer, try to wear a mouth guard to protect your teeth. This is especially true for heavy contact sports, like football, soccer, and rugby. Mouth guards act as body armor for your teeth, keeping them protected during big impacts. You can buy generic ones at most sporting goods stores, or you could speak to your dentist about having one custom fit for your mouth.

Stay Away from Potato Chips

Before you top off your backyard barbecue with potato chips and other starchy sides, you may want to realize what those foods do to your mouth. Starch feeds bacteria in the mouth, which can lead to bad breath. Shoot for a crisp salad with minimal dressing instead, and you'll still have a great tasting treat outdoors.

If you follow the tips above, you should be all set for the summer months. Keep up with regular oral hygiene practices and you won't have to worry about dental problems in the near future.