Time To Hit The Great Outdoors: 3 Tips To Avoid Dental Problems This Summer
Summer is just about here, and it's time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. While you're out enjoying yourself, make sure you protect your teeth. You might not realize this, but your teeth are exposed to a lot of hazards during the summer. Though it might not seem like it, some of your favorite activities can pose dental risks. To help protect your teeth, here are three steps you should take this summer.
Wear a Mouth Guard
If you're going to be involved in sports this summer, it's important that you protect your teeth from damage. The best way to do that is with a mouth guard. There are several different types to choose from.
Stock Mouth Guards
Stock mouth guards provide basic protection. You can purchase them in most sporting goods stores. They come in a one-size-fits-all variety and provide the basic protection you'll need to keep your teeth safe.
Boil-and-Bite Guards
Boil-and-bite guards provide minimal customization for your mouth. Once you have your guard, you'll boil it, which will soften it up a bit. While it's softened, you'll place it in your mouth and bite down, creating an impression in the guard.
Custom Guards
Custom mouth guards provide the maximum protection for your mouth. Your dentist will take an impression of your mouth, and a mouth guard will be created that will fit your mouth perfectly.
Watch What You Eat
When it comes to summer activities, eating can pose a serious threat to your teeth. During the summer, you may increase the amount of sugary foods you eat, such as cotton candy and soda. To avoid summertime tooth decay, limit the amount of sugary foods you consume.
It's also important that you protect your teeth from other types of damage associated with food. For instance, biting down on a popcorn kernel or a piece of ice can break your teeth. Eating a candied apple can pull one of your fillings out or remove one of your veneers. Protect your teeth this summer by watching what you eat and drink.
Watch for Swimmer's Mouth
If you're going to spend more than a few hours a week swimming in a chlorinated pool, you need to watch for swimmer's mouth. Frequent contact with chlorinated water can break down the proteins in your saliva, causing unsightly stains on the surface of your teeth. To prevent those stains from ruining your smile, be sure to have your teeth cleaned at least once during the summer.
Don't take chances with dental problems this summer. For other tips on how to protect your teeth during summer, be sure to talk to your cosmetic dentist.
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