Summer is typically a season of excitement while also spending time with friends and loved ones. However, some activities can increase the risk of experiencing a dental problem, which is something you’ll want to avoid during all of the fun. Keep reading to learn about a few summer activities that can pose harm to your oral health and what you can do to protect your smile.

Playing Sports

Plenty of people love participating in sports like soccer, football, or volleyball during the summertime. That said, these activities can often be quite physical and can raise the risk of dental injuries due to accidental collisions and trauma. To avoid chipping, cracking, or knocking out your tooth, it’s important to take certain precautions to keep your teeth safe, including wearing a custom mouthguard to provide protection and cushion, as well as drinking water to avoid dehydration and dry mouth (which can increase the risk of bacteria buildup).

Swimming

While swimming is a popular option for enjoying your summer, it’s possible that spending too much time in the water can impact your smile. Some pools may have high chlorine levels, which can end up eroding tooth enamel if you’re in contact with it for an extended period. This can lead to tooth sensitivity or vulnerability to dental decay if unchecked. Fortunately, you can still enjoy swimming during summer as long as you take the proper measures, such as:

• Checking that the water has a balanced pH level
• Refraining from grinding or clenching your teeth when diving or treading water
• Rinsing with clean water after swimming

Eating Tough Foods

Enjoying time with the family and barbecuing is a summer staple, but you’ll want to be careful not to hurt your teeth with some of the common foods this season. Some veggies like corn on the cob might be too hard for your smile, and tougher meals like ribs might spell trouble if you bite down roughly or get pieces stuck between your teeth. To minimize these kinds of issues, make sure to:

• Cut food into tiny pieces for easier consumption
• Be careful with bones and hard materials that can chip or crack teeth
• Brush and floss after meals to remove food particles

Overindulging in Sweet Treats

If you enjoy staying cool with snacks like popsicles, soda, and ice cream, you’ll want to keep in mind how long your mouth is exposed to sugar. Too much for too long can leave your teeth susceptible to cavities. To avoid decay, try:

• Limiting how often you eat sugary treats
• Rinsing with water or brushing your teeth afterward
• Munching on healthier options like apples, celery, and carrots to keep teeth clean

You can still have fun this season while reducing your chances of experiencing dental troubles! Keep the above tips in mind, and you can be sure to enjoy a healthy smile during the summer fun.

About the Practice

At Moreno & Young Dental, our team wants to ensure that you can make the most of your day and your smile throughout the year. We provide emergency dental care and can schedule same-day appointments so that you can return to having a healthy grin as soon as possible. If you wish to learn more about how to protect your teeth during summer or wish to make an appointment, feel free to visit our website or call us at 360-676-0642.