As summer begins, you may have a hectic schedule ahead of you. With children out of school, extra days off for holidays, and vacations on the calendar, completing everything on your schedule might be easier said than done.
As things slip through the crack, you may forget to take care of your teeth. But with this busy season starting, our team at Hendersonville Family Dental wants to give you a few simple tips to keep your teeth clean and healthy.
Drink Plenty of Water
With the temperature rising, you’re more apt to spend your time outside. While an ice-cold glass of lemonade or juice made from delicious, in-season fruits will undoubtedly quench your thirst, ensure you still drink plenty of water. The sugar in juices and sodas will cling to your teeth. What sugar doesn’t stick to your teeth may feed the bacteria in your mouth, eventually creating acids that will attack your teeth.
If you want to take care of your teeth this summer, drink lots of water. Water will wash away food residue and excess sugar that cavity-causing bacteria love to eat. By drinking plenty of water, you’ll ensure that there isn’t food and sugar left in your mouth that will eat away at your teeth.
Use A Straw
Okay, we understand if you simply cannot pass up on a fresh glass of lemonade this summer. It’s refreshing and delicious, and you want to enjoy your time with your family and friends. While we still believe you should choose water over these more sugar-rich beverages, make sure you’re using a straw if you drink them and still want to take care of your teeth.
Drinking through a straw can prevent these sugars from coming into contact with your teeth. In addition to protecting your enamel from being broken down by these sugars, you may also prevent staining. So, as you pour yourself a glass of lemonade, make sure you’re grabbing a straw before taking a sip.
Don’t Chew on Ice
It might be appealing to chew on ice to keep yourself cool during the hot summer days, but it will do more harm than good to your teeth’s overall health. Your teeth are incredibly fragile, and chewing on ice can seriously damage their enamel. While enamel is the hardest substance in your body, it fractures easily.
These fractures may not be fixable, leading to more significant damage to your teeth. Frequently chewing on ice may also lead to cracks in your teeth. Our teeth may develop small cracks from chewing. But these small cracks may spread over time and create much larger, more painful cracks. The best way to avoid these cracks and fractures and take care of your teeth this summer is to avoid hard foods and ice.
Brush Twice a Day
Many people have jam-packed summer schedules. From weeklong vacations to weekend parties, we know letting your daily tasks slide is easy. But don’t forget the importance of brushing your teeth twice a day.
To properly brush your teeth, make sure you’re using fluoride toothpaste and brushing for two minutes. You’re removing bacteria, food particles, and plaque by brushing your teeth. If you’re eating especially sugary food, brush straight away to prevent excess sugar from remaining in your mouth.
By maintaining this habit, even through your busy schedule, you ensure that your teeth don’t experience plaque or tartar build-up and that bacteria don’t have an excellent environment to grow in. It also protects your gums from infection. To properly take care of your teeth this summer, brush twice a day, no matter how busy you get.
Eat Crunchy Vegetables
When you’re perusing the snack table at summer parties, pack your plate with plenty of crunchy vegetables, like broccoli, celery, and carrots. These vegetables are low-calorie and packed with plenty of vitamins and nutrients. But there are more benefits than their nutrients. These crunchy vegetables act as nature’s toothbrush.
The fleshy skin of these vegetables can help scrub away food particles that may be left on your teeth. By keeping these food particles out of your mouth, these vegetables can help protect your teeth from cavities. So, if you want to take care of your teeth this summer, make sure you’re throwing a couple of broccoli florets or carrot sticks on your plate. And if you’re throwing a party for your friends and family, don’t forget to pick up a veggie tray.
Taking Care Of Your Teeth With Hendersonville Family Dental
Our team wants to support you and provide you with all the tips and tricks to take care of your teeth throughout the year. At Hendersonville Family Dental, we understand that you are busy. But with regularly scheduled cleanings and our advice, we believe you’ll have the most beautiful teeth and the best oral health. If you’re hoping to schedule an appointment or would like more information about our practice, reach out to us today.