Summer might be synonymous with vacation and relaxation, but it doesn’t mean your dental care routine should take a backseat. Maintaining your teeth and gums is a lifelong process, ensuring they remain healthy for years to come. Here’s what you can do to avoid neglecting your oral hygiene amid fun summer activities.

How to Care for Your Teeth During Summer

1. Limit Summer Treats

Cool treats like ice cream, popsicles, and shave ice are extra delicious on sweltering days. However, they also promote cavities. Dental plaque feeds on sugary food particles to produce decay-causing acids. Limiting your intake of these snacks supports your dental and overall health since sugar contributes to issues such as diabetes and weight gain.

If you do indulge in a chilled treat, have water within reach to rinse your mouth. It also helps to consume whole foods that naturally clean the teeth, including cucumbers, apples, and carrots. 

2. Stay Hydrated

Summer barbecues and similar events often include alcoholic and sugary drink options, such as beer and soda. These beverages coat the teeth with sugar, which wears away the enamel. This protective white coating cannot be restored once lost, leaving the tooth vulnerable to decay.

As part of your dental care routine, stick to water as your main summer drink. This liquid flushes sugary particles from the mouth. It also encourages the production of saliva, which contains decay-neutralizing enzymes. Additionally, this essential liquid helps prevent dehydration symptoms from excessive sweating, such as muscle cramps and dizziness.  

3. Avoid Chewing Ice

Many people chew on ice on hot days to cool down. However, this habit can cause tooth chips and breaks. It can also lead to fractures that extend below the gumline. In these circumstances, you will need a tooth extraction to prevent decay and infection. Instead of chewing ice, ensure you have cool water on hand by keeping a pitcher in the refrigerator and using insulated bottles.

You can also keep your teeth healthy this summer by visiting Carter S. Yokoyama, DDS in Kailua-Kona, HI. This dental spa provides a wide range of dental care services, from routine cleanings to teeth whitening treatments. They also offer complimentary spa treatments, like paraffin hand waxes and aromatherapy eye masks. Call (808) 322-0101 today to make an appointment, and visit the website to learn more about their general dentistry services.