It’s starting to feel like summer, most kids are out of school, and that means lots of changes to our daily habits! Summer vacation has lots of upsides, but there are also lots of things that can impact your dental health

Late Nights Shouldn’t Stop Toothbrushing

As the sun is up later, everyone seems to stay up later in the summer months. Kids who no longer have to contend with “school nights” are no exception, but everyone’s bedtime schedule can get off kilter in the summer months. Picture it: you’re all having family time, and the next thing you know, you’re all falling asleep in the living room and dragging yourself off to bed.

Don’t let a changing sleep schedule disrupt your nightly brushing and flossing! If you usually brush teeth right before bed, consider switching to an after-dinner (or after-dessert) tooth brushing instead. That way even if you fall asleep on the couch, you still know that your dental health isn’t going to suffer from your snoozing!

Stay Hydrated

Hydration is important year-round, but especially in the summertime. But don’t forget that drinking plenty of water is important to your oral health, too! When your mouth is drier than usual, it becomes a prime zone for bacterial growth, so making sure to drink plenty of water will help keep your body cool and your mouth healthier.

Watch the Sugary Snacks

Summer schedules combined with hot weather make for a lot of snacking (can you say popsicles?). There’s nothing wrong with the occasional sweet treat, but summer can bring an onslaught of sweet drinks, desserts, sodas, ice creams, and the like. Try to limit the sugary snacks and make sure to brush your teeth after consuming them!

Get Mouthguards for Outdoor Activities

Whether it’s the local soccer league, mountain biking with the family, or roller skating in the park, it seems that summertime brings a lot of opportunities for accidents that can do damage to your teeth.

One quick tip? Get mouthguards for everyone who is participating, and make sure they use them (and clean them regularly!). An unexpected broken tooth will ruin everyone’s day.

Stop Chewing On Your Ice Cubes

As satisfying as it can be on a hot day, chewing on ice cubes can do a lot of damage to your teeth. For alternatives, consider shaved ice in beverages, frozen fruit like grapes, or drinking your beverage from a straw to help you avoid the temptation.

Summertime can be an opportunity for wonderful adventures, but by following these tips, you can avoid emergency “adventures” to the dentist! However, don’t forget your regular checkup and cleaning! Contact us to make an appointment!