Keeping Up with Dental Care on Summer Break
by Above Dental
There is so much to do during the summer! There’s the fun stuff like watching baseball games, having a water balloon fight with the kids, and then there’s the not-so-fun responsibilities that come with summer — weeding the yard, fixing the air conditioner, driving the kids around town.
There’s a lot to do, but in between all of the fun and the chores, don’t forget about your dental care!
Good oral hygiene habits
Of course you know that you should brush twice a day, floss once a day, and visit the staff at Above Dental twice a year for a good, thorough cleaning!
Keeping up with these habits over the summer is important. Not brushing and flossing as well as you should can lead to a build-up of plaque, which can lead to tooth decay, and eventually gum disease and other serious problems.
Make sure you don’t go to your next dental appointment only to find out that your summer fun has led to winter cavities!
Good dental care includes eating right, too!
Of course you know that for healthy teeth and gums, you should limit your sugary treats. But did you know that there are some foods you can eat that will make teeth healthier?
Crunchy veggies and fruits such as carrots, celery, and apples help to scrub debris off of teeth, and they also stimulate saliva, which washes debris off of teeth. And, there are many foods you can eat that are packed with vitamins and minerals that are good for keeping teeth and bones strong: oranges, eggs, dairy products, tomatoes, cucumbers, and some kinds of fish, just to name a few.
Grabbing some healthy summertime fruit can even help you keep your teeth white! Strawberries and lemons are great for teeth whitening. Mash the strawberry up and rub it on your teeth, then rinse it off. Strawberries have malic acid, which helps to lift stains off of teeth. Or, mix the juice of a lemon with some warm water and rinse your mouth — this mixture can help to whiten teeth as well.
Good dental care when you’re on the run
Summer time is a very busy time, whether you are at home or on the road taking your annual vacation. But there are easy ways to take care of your teeth, even if you don’t have easy access to your toothbrush!
- Drink lots of water, especially at meals. Water washes food and bacteria off of teeth.
- If you can’t get to your toothbrush, gargle with some water to clean teeth
- Carry around some sugar-free gum, which also helps to keep teeth clean by stimulating saliva production
Whatever plans you have for summer, make the time to take good care of your teeth — it is worth it! Try to stay away from too much sugar, eat healthy foods, brush, floss, and make sure you come to Above Dental if you have any problems or just need a good cleaning!