Protect Your Smile Over Summer Break
20 May 2020
Many families consider Memorial Day the start of summer break – especially those families lucky enough to call Houston home where the high temperatures already make it feel like summer. But some of the things that go hand-in-hand with summer, such as pools and popsicles, can lead to big dental issues. That’s why the start of summer is a good time to talk about how to protect your smile over the summer break.
No Summer Slacking
Let’s be honest. When school’s out, we get a little laxer about our routines. This often includes our oral care routines. We aren’t as likely to be standing behind our kids reminding them how to brush their teeth properly as we would be during the school year. Our bedtime routines are more relaxed, so kids may skip brushing and just go to bed.
Even though summer is more relaxed, you absolutely should not slack on your oral hygiene routine! You should stick to the daily tooth brushing and flossing routines. A summer without proper oral hygiene can cause lasting damage to your teeth.
Drink Plenty of Water
When it is hot, it is important to drink plenty of fluids. But it is important to drink the right fluids. While drinks like lemonade are popular during the summer, you want to avoid sugary beverages. You should also avoid carbonated beverages. Instead, you should choose to drink water. And, when given a choice, choose to drink tap water over bottled water since it likely has fluoride in it. Fluoride strengthens your teeth and prevents cavities.
Eat Healthy Snacks
Having a filled fridge and pantry is important for summer snacking. With the kids home all day, they tend to eat more snacks than they do during the school year. That’s why parents should be sure to fill the snack cabinets with healthy foods instead of sugary treats. For example, stock up on healthy fruits and vegetables instead of offering bags of chips and plates of cookies.
It is also important to recognize that popular summer treats like popsicles and ice cream are not great for your teeth. Popsicles are sugary, and just the type of treat tooth-decaying bacteria loves. When possible, opt for summer treats made with real fruit instead.
Schedule Dental Appointments
Regular dental checkups and cleanings are important for maintaining good oral health. Early summer is a great time to schedule these annual visits because they don’t make kids miss school. It also gives you a little extra time to get extra dental work done if needed, and it means your family will start the next school year with brighter, healthier smiles while beating the August rush. Greenspoint Dental in Houston is currently accepting new patients, so give us a call today!
Wear Mouthguards
Did you know that dental injuries are the most common type of facial injury in sports? This is often because they are not required to wear a mouthguard. Colgate claims, “According to the American Dental Association (ADA), more than 200,000 oral injuries are prevented each year by wearing a mouthguard.” When your kids are playing summer sports, including water sports, they should wear a mouthguard to protect their teeth.
Follow Pool Rules
Going to the pool is a great way to cool off on a hot summer day, but pool injuries are common. Often, these pool injuries are a direct result of kids not obeying pool rules, such as no running on the pool deck. The Daily Floss reports, “Swimming pool accidents are the number one cause of dental emergencies during the summer, according to the AGD (Academy of General Dentistry).”
Speaking of the pool, too much chlorine exposure can cause tooth damage. Colgate claims, “Pools with too much chlorine contain pH levels that can cause enamel erosion as water occasionally seeps into your mouth during your swim session. And in recent years, more and more evidence shows the connection between improperly chlorinated pools and tooth damage.” Therefore, after the pool session, make sure your family brushes their teeth!
Pack an Emergency Kit
You never know when a dental emergency may occur, so it is wise to prepare a dental emergency kit that you can take with you on your summer travels. Your dental emergency kit should contain the following items:
- Gauze
- Cotton Balls
- Cotton Swabs
- Saline Solution (or make your own with bottled water and a salt packet)
- Over-the-counter Pain Relievers (such as Tylenol)
- Latex or Nitrile Gloves
- Ice Pack (or cold compress)
- Over-the-counter gel anesthetic (such as Orajel)
- Floss
- A Dental Mirror
- Dental Wax
- Vaseline
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
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