It’s officially summer, which often means relaxing poolside with your family and friends, backyard barbeques, and vacations. But summertime can also cause disruptions in your family’s everyday life, schedules, and routines, which may mean that certain habits and necessities take a backseat. Don’t let your oral health be one of those things; turn to your dentist in Hermiston for some summer dental tips.
Choose Snacks Wisely
We may find ourselves snacking more frequently throughout the day over the summer months, especially if we’re popping from various picnics and barbeques. While there’s no reason you can’t enjoy some of your favorite summer treats, your dentist in Hermiston encourages you to choose sweet snacks, including drinks, in moderation. Limit your family’s intake of sugar-packed sodas, sports drinks, ice cream, lemonade, and candy. Water is always best when it comes to both staying hydrated and protecting your teeth.
Follow a Routine
Even though it may be tempting to fall off your regular oral hygiene routine during the summer or while on vacation, it’s incredibly important to stick to your habits all year round to keep cavities and other oral health problems away. Always brush your teeth twice a day for minutes each time, and don’t forget to floss once a day to remove plaque and bacteria from areas of your teeth where your toothbrush doesn’t reach.
Wear Sunscreen
Sun protection is key even when it’s not sunny outside. Your skin can easily be sunburned when you’re outside for an extended period of time, so make sure you lather up with sunscreen. Besides your skin, make sure you apply lip balm with an SPF-15 or higher as well. Your lips can also get sunburn which could cause cancer over time.
Swim with Caution
Whenever you’re around a body of water you should be careful. But your dentist in Hermiston also wants you to be careful of a lesser-known problem that can occur from too much pool time — swimmer’s calculus. Swimmer’s calculus can occur when the pH level of a pool is too low it becomes acidic. If the mouth is exposed to too much acidic water it can erode tooth enamel and cause damage. Swimmer’s calculus is one form of damage and is usually identified by brown spotting on the teeth that will need to be removed by your dentist.
See Your Dentist
Summer can be a great time to see your dentist in Hermiston for a checkup, especially if you have kids in school. We recommend that you call to schedule your family’s dental appointments soon, as availability tends to become limited during the next few months.
We hope that all of our patients and neighbors have a safe and happy summer full of family fun. Of course, if the unthinkable happens and you experience a dental emergency during the summer or on vacation, call us as soon as possible for advice or to schedule an appointment.
