3 Summer Activities That Can Harm Your Smile

For many people, summertime is synonymous with fun in the sun. The season is often full of family cookouts, weekend trips to the beach, and spending the day swimming at the local pool. As fun as summer is, the season also comes with several opportunities to unintentionally damage your smile. to help you protect your smile from harm, read on to learn about three summer activities that can be dangerous for your pearly whites.

Activity #1: Indulging in Cold Treats

When the temperatures start to climb into the 90s and 100s, nothing hits the spot quite like an ice cream cone or an ice-cold soda. Unfortunately, these treats are full of sugar, and consuming too much of them significantly increases your risk of developing tooth decay. This means that you’ll be trading in some of your beach time for a visit to the dentist. To avoid this and protect your smile, save these sugary foods and drinks for special occasions. When you do decide to indulge, follow up with a cool glass of water to wash away excess sugar.

Activity #2: Playing Summer Sports

During the summertime, activities like biking with your family, playing volleyball on the beach, or getting together with friends for a game of flag football are a great way to have fun while soaking up some Vitamin D. However, an accidental elbow to the mouth or bad fall can turn a pleasant afternoon into a dental emergency in the blink of an eye. Be sure to wear a mouthguard to protect your smile while participating in any activities that may result in dental damage.

Activity #3: Forgetting to Pack Your Toothbrush

When it comes to planning for a trip out of town, it’s not uncommon to forget something. Though leaving your favorite book or journal at home isn’t usually that big of a deal, forgetting your toothbrush can lead to serious dental issues. To protect your smile while you’re away, be sure to keep a dental kit containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and a small bottle of mouthwash on you. Additionally, if you’re traveling by plane, you can check airport gift shops to see if they sell dental tools.

Along with the above, be sure to visit your dentist every six months to protect your smile from oral health issues. If it’s been a while since you last saw your dentist, set up a consultation before you go on vacation so you can go on your trip with a healthy, happy, and problem-free smile!

About the Practice

If you’re preparing to go on summer vacation, be sure to schedule an appointment with Orange Place Family Dentistry before you embark on your new adventure. They offer preventive checkups and cleanings, dental nightguards for those living with bruxism, fluoride treatments, and more to protect your smile all year long. To schedule an appointment with Orange Place Family Dentistry or for more information on their preventive dental services, call their office at (216) 284-5468 or visit their website today.