Summer Dental Care Tips: How to Protect Your Oral Health During Warm Weather

Summer heat and vacation time often mean changes in regular routines and indulging more than usual in sweet treats that can wreak havoc on your oral hygiene. 

At Dentists at Beddington Heights, we focus on preventative care and early detection for the whole family. 

Learning summer dental care tips for optimal oral health can help prevent extra trips to the dentist and get you back on track for your fall schedule and back-to-school days. 

Why Summer Can Be Hard on Your Teeth

Who doesn’t love an ice cream cone on a hot summer day, or a refreshing iced tea that brings you back to your days as a kid by the pool?

Before you indulge, here’s what your dentist wants you to know.

Here are a few things to watch out for:

• Added sugary or sticky snacks (crackers) and drinks that increase acidity in the mouth (Kombucha, soda).
  
• Change of routine (travel, summer schedule) – less brushing and flossing.
  
• Dehydration and increased activity reduce saliva protection.
  
• More sports and outdoor activities increase the risk of dental injuries.
  

How Hydration Supports Good Oral Hygiene

Being well hydrated impacts more than just your muscles and joints; it also protects saliva production, which affects your chance of getting cavities. If your mouth is consistently dry, saliva production decreases, and you’ll be left with a cavity-prone mouth. 

A few hydration pointers:

• Keep your water bottle handy wherever you go (water cools you down and helps prevent cavities).
  
• Always drink more than you think you need, especially when temperatures soar.
  
• Notice when your mouth is dry – a sign to drink water immediately.
  

The Sweet Stuff | What’s It’s Doing to Your Smile

When you eat something sugary, the bacteria in your mouth feed on that sugar and produces acid – and that acid is what wears down your enamel over time. If you’re prone to cavities or your mouth tends to run dry, this effect is even more pronounced, since saliva normally helps neutralize acid and wash sugar away. Left unchecked, this process can lead to cavities, gum disease, and the need for fillings.

Here are a few preventative measures: 

• Drink water after a sugary treat to help wash away the food particles/sugary film
  
• Chew gum after a meal to help release the food in-between your teeth
  
• Make sure you get your teeth professionally cleaned every six months
  
• Choose fresh fruit, nuts or cheese for your kids’ snacks
  
• Brush and floss your teeth after every meal – even after snacks if you have a portable toothbrush/paste.
  

Protect your Teeth During Sports and Outdoor Activities

The warmer months come with more activities and often more relaxed rules for yourself and your kids – including during water or on-land contact sports. From water skiing to paddle boarding to mountain biking, protecting your teeth is vital. 

Incorporate rules that you and your family must stick to, no matter where or who you’re with. 

A few tips to get you started:

• Always wear a helmet when biking (head and mouth injuries are common for bikers of all ages)
  
• Wear a mouth guard. Sports like hockey, basketball, and boxing will cause less harm to your pearly whites when you’re wearing a well-maintained guard.
  
• Buy stable hiking shoes that help prevent you from falling down trails and hitting your face (it’s more common than you think).
  
• Book a dentist appointment right away if you get injured (don’t wait it out).
  

What to Do in a Summer Dental Emergency

Whether you have a broken tooth, swelling, a sports injury, or pain while biting – among other common emergency situations – time is the key to getting you the best possible care. If it’s a serious injury, call 911 or get the person to the hospital asap. 

If your dentist can fix the problem – a broken tooth, toothache, lost filling or crown – take immediate measures to alleviate the pain until the dentist is available. This may include a cold compress for your tooth, a pain reliever, or rinsing your mouth with water to clean the wound area. 

If your dentist gave you their contact information after dental surgery and you’re experiencing pain – call them immediately. Don’t wait to tough it out; it will likely get worse. Other options include finding a 24-hour dental clinic or calling a non-emergency line for advice. 

Simple Habits Can Create Big Changes in Your Oral Hygiene 

A few simple healthy habits go a long way in preventing an unexpected trip to the dentist this summer. Preventative care and tips for a dental emergency will save you money, reduce pain after an injury or accident, and improve your overall oral hygiene in the warmer months and beyond. 

Book your summer dental checkup now at Dentists at Beddington Heights in Calgary.