Summer is here and so is the fun! Whether you’re headed to the pool or the beach, a family barbeque or baseball game, summer is loaded with fun activities. While you’re out enjoying yourself this summer, you’ll probably also be enjoying some sweet treats. This summer, La Mesa HIlls Dentistry reminds you – have fun, but don’t let your oral health suffer! Here are four quick tips for maintaining your oral health this summer.
- Don’t Overindulge On The Sweets! Summer is a time to enjoy, and for many, that can mean enjoying more sweet treats than in other times of the year. Ice cream cones, slushies, popsicles, milkshakes… the list goes on and on. It’s okay to indulge yourself in these summertime treats, but remember – they can take a toll on your teeth. To maintain optimal oral health, eat sweet treats in moderation, and be sure to drink plenty of water and maintain an otherwise healthy diet.
- Remember Your Daily Brushings! Summer can be a busy time, but don’t let your daily oral healthcare routine suffer from your schedule. It’s just as important as ever to maintain a solid routine of twice daily brushing. Commit yourself to two minutes of brushing, two times a day. Brushing two times each day is the single most important thing you can do to take care of your oral health.
- Floss, Floss, Floss! Flossing cleans the tight spaces between the teeth, removing the plaque that can form in these places. Plaque contains bacteria that feeds on leftover food or sugar in your mouth, releasing an acid that eats away at the outer coating of your teeth, and creating the conditions for cavities to form. Plaque that is not removed by flossing and adequate brushing can eventually harden into a rough substance called tartar (also called calculus), which collects along the gum line and can eventually lead to gum disease. Daily flossing prevents plaque and tartar from forming, which also helps to prevent cavities and gum disease.
- Keep Up With Your Cleanings! By maintaining regularly scheduled cleaning appointments, you establish a routine and a relationship that can keep your mouth healthy. Attending regular periodic cleanings allows your dental care team to become familiar with your mouth and your issues, and track any changes and developments that may be occurring. Most importantly, your dentist is able to identify any issues as soon as possible, before they become larger issues that require a more in-depth procedural solution. Best practice is to visit your dentist twice a year for a dental cleaning.
Remember these four quick and easy tips for maintaining your oral health this summer, and you’ll breeze into Fall without a worry. Have any questions or concerns about your oral health? Just give La Mesa Hills Dentistry a call! At La Mesa Hills Dentistry, in La Mesa, California, it is our priority to help our patients achieve and maintain good oral health, through the summer and all year round. Contact LMHD today!