Little Known Facts About Teeth and Summer
You protect your skin from the sun, but what about your teeth? Richview
Family Dentistry has some tips about caring for your teeth in hot weather.
The Pool
- Brush your teeth after swimming in a chlorinated pool. High chlorine levels can weaken your teeth.
Drink water!
- Your saliva helps protect your teeth from decay and bad breath. Stay hydrated!
Mouthguard
- Lots of outdoor sports are going on during the summer, so make sure you’re protecting your teeth from being damaged by a wayward ball or someone’s elbow.
Bottle caps
- Do we really need to warn you against opening a bottle with your teeth? Sure, it’s fun to show off to your friends, but chipping a tooth could slow down your summer fun.
Smile!
- Summer is the time to smile! Smiling reduces stress and helps your heart, so show those pearly whites. And if you don’t have “pearly whites”, come see us at #RichviewFamily.
Here are some more tips from the American Dental Association
Avoid sugary drinks and snacks. With the rising temperatures, it’s natural to want to quench your thirst. Just try to drink more water instead of sugary juices and sodas. Let your kids tell you when they’re hungry. Don’t offer sugary snacks. They’ll let you know when they want something to eat, but keep it healthy, like carrot sticks and fruit.
Stay On a Routine
No matter how busy your kids get over the summer months, make sure they stay in the routine of brushing for 2 minutes twice a day and flossing daily. Be sure your kids know the importance of flossing. Any child over 10 years old should know how to floss between any two teeth that touch. If your child needs help, try putting your hands over theirs to guide them and get the job done.