Summer is all about lazy days, vacations, and road trips with friends and family. The bright sun brings out the best in you and it is the best holiday season. Although a lot of your might take extra care of your hair and skin in summers, but most times oral health gets neglected. The harsh sun can be so damaging for your skin, hair, and health of your mouth.
It is important that during the summer months you take care of your mouth including your teeth and gums because there are at a greater risk of infections and diseases. Given below are top 5 useful tips to follow to keep your teeth in best condition this summer.
- Follow a routine: When you have a workout routine, a morning and night skincare routine, a pamper routine, then why not a dental care routine. Whether you’re out with friends or on a vacation, follow a routine. Something as simple as brushing twice daily will be greatly helpful.
You can also add more steps like floss and mouth wash as per your dentist’s recommendation. Don’t skip brushing your teeth at night. That one moment of laziness will do a lot of harm to your teeth and oral health in the long run. - Book a dentist appointment: It is recommended that you should visit your dentist every 6 months. If you feel the summer months are too packed for your schedule, it is best to plan ahead and book your dentist appointment. When you visit your dentist regularly, small issues can be treated well in time and you wouldn’t need any emergency treatment.
Also ask your dentist for certain precautions you should take, or a special oral health routine you should follow depending upon your teeth’s condition and problem if any. - Drink lots of water and stay hydrated: Keeping yourself hydrated is the key to good health. Drinking 8-10 glasses of water a day is a must. It is great not just for your skin, hair, oral health, but overall health as well. During summer months you tend to consume a lot more beverages. This summer be smart with your drink choices and pick teeth-friendly options. Experts say that water and milk are the two best drinks for your oral health.
Avoid fizzy drinks, canned juices, aerated sodas, energy drinks, as these are all high in sugar and acid which are both harmful for your oral health. When taken throughout the day for extended period of time, these drinks might erode teeth enamel and cause tooth decay. - Keep your teeth out of harm’s way: In various researches it is shown that at least 85% of people put their oral health at risk by using their teeth as tools for tasks they weren’t meant to. And then when you end up with crooked or cracked teeth, it is blamed on genetics.
Summer is a great time when you do on vacation or spend time outdoors by the beach or camping. Don’t use your teeth to tear open packets, to open bottles. Also don’t use them to carry or hold stuff. You may not realize, but these small things lead to big damage. Use your teeth for what they’re meant for – chewing food and biting it. - Get the right amount of sun for healthy gums: Sunlight is the best sources of vitamin D which is most essential to build your immune system. Research also shows that vitamin D is helpful in giving you healthy gums as it helps keep diseases at bay.
Having healthy gums means your teeth will also be in good condition for a longer period of time. Do you know that gum disease is closely related to heart health, mental health, and diabetes. So get out in the sun and soak up some sunshine for healthy gums.
Just make sure you’re not out in the sun for extended time. Apply generous amount of sun-screen lotion before stepping out in the sun. Also don’t forget to protect your lips. Use a lip balm with added SPF protection to safeguard them from the harmful effects of sun.
Following these easy and simple steps will ensure that your teeth are healthy all through summer and your oral health is in best condition. Keep those pearly whites shining and keep smiling!
Credits – This blog is an adaptation of our international blog – https://www.dentalhealth.org/blog/five-top-tips-to-keep-your-teeth-in-tip-top-shape-throughout-the-summer