It is sunny outside, so smile, New Yorkers! The sun is shining more now that it is summer, which means better weather and more time spent in the sun. But did you know that this season is linked to your teeth in more than one way? There are several ways that the weather can affect your dental health.
With all of your busy plans, summer is one of the most important times to take extra care of your smile. Here are some things you can do to take care of your teeth and overall health. To learn more, you can consult a dental practice in Glen Oaks, NY.
Do not neglect your oral health care practice.
One common mistake people make in the summer is not getting regular dental care. Check-ups at the dentist may not get done as often when people are on vacation or traveling. But missing these important meetings can lead to problems. Regular dental check-ups are important to find problems like cavities or gum disease early on.
Not taking care of your teeth by brushing and flossing every day can also make these problems worse. Make sure that you maintain your normal dentist visits and keep up with your daily mouth care routine while you are traveling.
Stay hydrated.
The extreme summer heat can make you lose water, which is bad for your oral health as well as your general health. Dehydration makes your body make less saliva, which causes dry mouth. Saliva is very important for reducing acids and keeping teeth from getting cavities.
In addition to causing bad breath, dry mouth makes you more likely to get cavities. It is important to stay refreshed, so drink a lot of water throughout the day, especially when you are outside doing things.
Protect yourself from oral injuries.
In the summer, people like to play sports and do other physical activities outside, but they also risk hurting their teeth. Sometimes accidents happen when you are riding your bike or playing soccer. When people do fun things in the summer, they often break or chip their teeth.
If you play sports, you might want to wear a mouthguard to protect your smile. As a cushion, a mouthguard keeps your teeth safe and lowers the chance of getting hurt in the mouth.
Stay wary of sensitivity.
When the temperature goes up, do your teeth hurt? There are many reasons for this, and many of them have to do with the foods and drinks we choose when it is hot outside. During the summer, you might choose cold drinks like ice cream or ice water. You could also choose something sweet and sour, like soda, to cool off.
Both decaying enamel and sensitivity to cold are common problems. If you are having tooth pain that will not go away with the change of seasons, make an appointment with your dentist right away to get proper care.
