Be Careful of These 3 Summer Activities That Might Put Your Smile at Risk

Summer is a great opportunity to spend time with your family and enjoy some time in the sun. However, you do need to be careful when it comes to your smile. Some of the activities that are particularly popular during the warmer months could potentially lead to dental emergencies if the right precautions aren’t taken. Below are 3 common summer activities and how they can be less than ideal for your oral health.

1. Consuming a Lot of Sugar

Many people try to beat the summer heat by eating a bowl of delicious ice cream or drinking a refreshing soda. These items – and many other foods and beverages that are commonly enjoyed around this time of year – typically contain a lot of sugar, which is less-than-great news for your teeth. The bacteria in your mouth can use sugar to create acids that wear down enamel and ultimately cause cavities.

Sugar doesn’t have to be cut out of your diet entirely. You simply have to make sure that you aren’t consuming too much of it. Practice moderation when it comes to sugary treats. Additionally, drinking soda and other high-sugar beverages through a straw can be a great way to reduce the amount of contact they have with your teeth.

2. Spending Time in the Pool

With the temperature rising, a dip in the pool is often the perfect summer activity. However, many people may not realize that the chlorine in pools can potentially erode teeth. It can also cause discoloration of your enamel.

If you want to minimize the risk that chlorine poses to your smile, you should use test strips to make sure that the pH balance of your pool is safely between 7.2 and 7.8. To be as safe as possible, always keep your mouth closed whenever you’re underwater.

3. Playing Sports

Do you have a favorite sport or physical activity that you often participate in during the summer months? Then you should be aware that every year, over 5 million teeth are knocked out as the result of sports-related injuries. Even a non-contact sport could damage your smile if there’s an unexpected accident that causes you to get hit in the mouth.

You should always wear a mouthguard before engaging in any kind of athletic activity. While you could pick up a standard mouthguard from a store, a customized one from your dentist will typically provide much better protection.

Are you sure that you’re keeping your smile as safe as possible during the summer? Remember that you can always call your dentist if you have any concerns about your oral health. Feel free to ask them what steps you should take to protect your teeth.

About the Practice

Here at A New Smile, our team includes multiple dentists, a periodontist, and an oral surgeon. With so many experts under a single roof, we can offer a truly complete dental experience to Pacoima families. We can perform comprehensive preventive checkups and cleanings as well as a variety of emergency treatments as needed. To schedule a summer consultation with us, visit our website or call (818) 897-5771.