San Francisco and Marin CA
Summertime is most people’s favorite time of the year. School is out, the weather is warm, and it’s that time to get outside and have fun with our family and friends. You know the importance of applying sunscreen to protect your skin, but have you considered the possible harm to your oral health that summer activities may bring? Here are five tips from your San Francisco family dentist at Glen Park Dental to make sure you’re looking out for your teeth as best as possible during your summer activities to keep your smile healthy, shining and bright.
Pool protection
Most swimming pools have chlorinated water to kill the germs in the water, but getting the chemically treated pool water in your mouth repeatedly can be detrimental. The acidity of chlorine, with repeated exposure, can erode your enamel and significantly weaken your teeth. It’s pretty unavoidable to get a little bit of pool water in your system while you’re swimming, so it’s a good idea to swish out your mouth with regular water when you’re done in the water. If you’re going to be swimming for a long time, make sure to take breaks throughout the day to get that acidity away from your teeth. You should also be conscious about general dental injuries that occur around pools each year. It’s especially easy to slip and fall, suffering a broken tooth or other type of mouth injury. Be cautious and avoid reckless behavior in these kinds of situations.
Energy drinks
With the summer heat, many people like reaching for a nice cold energy drink. Unfortunately, though, these drinks come with significant risks to your teeth. Energy drinks contain high levels of sugars and citric acids, both of which are damaging and can erode your tooth enamel. Destruction of enamel can cause increased sensitivity in your mouth. To protect your teeth, limit your intake of energy drinks and stay healthy and hydrated by drinking as much water as possible.
Snacking
A nice summer hangout by the pool or at the beach isn’t quite complete without some snacks. It can be easy to be tired after a full day out in the sun and forget about your oral hygiene routine, but it’s absolutely vital to brush and use floss after eating to remove stubborn food and avoid buildup of the plaque and tartar that lead to cavities. If you want to curb your snacking habit a bit, sugarless gum can help hinder your appetite and neutralize the acids already in your mouth.
Teeth whitening
If you’re wanting to whiten your teeth to match your summer tan, ask your dentist about a professional teeth whitening in San Francisco. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products come with some risks and may cause you to experience heightened sensitivity to cold: ice cream, ice water, or even air conditioning.
Missed dental appointments
Summertime is generally quite busy for everyone, but you want to make sure to fit your biannual dentist visits into your schedule around vacations or other warm weather activities. Having a regular check-up every six months, as recommended by the American Dental Association, is the best way to ensure you remain at a high level of oral health–and to make sure you’re avoiding any damage to your teeth from your summertime fun.
Family Dentistry in San Francisco, Marin, and Oakland in California
To make sure you’re getting the most out of your summer and maintaining your beautiful smile, Glen Park Dental is here to serve you. We provide comprehensive dental care to patients in all seasons. To learn more about our services or schedule a checkup, visit us online or call us at (415) 585-1500 to schedule an appointment today.
