- (310) 651-7660
- 23609 Hawthorne Blvd Suite B
- Torrance, CA 90505
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Summer is a busy time of year.
Kids are out of school, and parents plan special outings and adventures, like summer camp or family vacations.
We understand that it’s hard to keep track of everything and that sometimes you don’t want to because this is your time to relax and have fun.
However, taking steps to have a healthy summer – whether you’re going away during summer vacation or enjoying a staycation – can ensure that you have even more fun.
After all, there’s nothing fun about needing a filling or having a dental emergency when you’re supposed to be on vacation.
Thankfully, following a few summer dental tips from your Torrance dentist can prevent dental emergencies and give you a healthy, fun-filled summer vacation.
If you really want to enjoy your summer, do what you can to keep your body and teeth healthy. Here are some summer dental tips (and general wellness tips) that can reduce your risk of dental issues while enjoying your summer vacation.
Nearly every time you visit your Torrance dentist for a dental cleaning, someone in our office will review oral hygiene instructions with you.
Why is that? It’s because good oral hygiene is your first defense against gum disease and dental decay.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to let our oral hygiene habits slip when we go on vacation. We might not brush as often, as well, or at all. Flossing can quickly go out the window.
We urge you to set aside just a few minutes daily for good oral hygiene practices. Doing so will help you potentially avoid a dental emergency on vacation and prevent long-term damage from dental diseases.
We highly recommend electric toothbrushes. They provide a deeper level of clean when it comes to your brushing routine. Electric toothbrushes use oscillation and vibration to help remove plaque and stain molecules.
In addition to providing a better cleaning experience, electric toothbrushes have mechanisms that stop them if you brush too aggressively. Therefore, they help reduce your risk of gingival damage and gum recession.
Electric toothbrush companies realized that people need to care for their dentition while on vacation, so they’ve started designing travel electric toothbrushes. The design of these toothbrushes is more compact, so they’re easy to pack. Many brushes on the market also have a longer battery life, spare brush heads, and better recharging options.
Eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables is a great way to improve your overall health. And in the summer months, these foods are available in abundance.
Fresh produce contains high water content to help keep you hydrated. It also contains high levels of vitamins and minerals that increase energy levels, keep your immune system in good working order, and keep your teeth and bones strong.
Sticking to healthy summer foods and limiting processed foods with high levels of simple sugars can help keep blood sugar levels balanced for better energy and health. Doing this can also reduce your risk of developing dental decay and needing a filling appointment with your Torrance dentist during your vacation months.
It’s incredibly easy to get dehydrated during the warm weather months. Drinking plenty of water is vital to stay hydrated and healthy – and it can help your oral health, too.
Dehydration reduces your body’s ability to produce saliva efficiently. Saliva is important because it helps wash away food particles and bacteria that contribute to plaque build-up and dental diseases.
Drinking enough water can help prevent the build-up of excessive plaque on your teeth and tongue.
Summer is the perfect time for ice-cold beverages, like lemonade, juices, cocktails, beer, iced coffees, and soda.
Unfortunately, these beverages contain sugars that can attack the enamel and cause dental decay. It’s best to stick to water for the most part when you need to hydrate.
If you plan on enjoying a drink other than water, try drinking through a straw. Doing this limits the contact between the sugary beverage and your teeth.
When drinking with a straw isn’t possible – or just doesn’t fit the type of beverage you’re drinking – try your best to follow it up with a drink of water. You can also rinse your mouth with water or brush your teeth if you are able.
All those cold, delicious beverages often contain ice. What should you do once your beverage is gone and you’re left with ice cubes? It’s up to you. You can suck on the ice for a nice cooling sensation (and to avoid wasting it), or you can toss it.
But whatever you do, don’t chew it.
Ice is cold and hard, a combination that can lead to cracked and fractured teeth. If you want to reduce your risk of a dental emergency this summer – especially when you’re away from home – avoid chewing on ice.
Skin cancer is the fastest-growing epidemic in the U.S., with over 3.5 million new cases yearly. Exposure to the sun’s UV rays is the leading cause of skin cancer – including lip cancer.
Most of us know that we should put sunscreen on any exposed skin when we go outside, something that’s particularly important during summer when UV rays are more potent.
Your lips are especially vulnerable to the sun’s rays because they don’t have as much melanin as the rest of your skin. Thankfully, there are several lip balms on the market that contain SPF to keep your lips moisturized and protected
Visiting your dentist regularly (at least twice a year) is a great way to prevent dental emergencies. Some of our patients schedule their visits to coincide with summer vacations.
They make sure to see their Torrance dentist for a cleaning and a check-up to evaluate any weak areas. If their dentist finds any issues – like signs of dental decay – the patient can receive treatment before their trip and avoid a potentially painful emergency.
It’s good to know what to do in case of a dental emergency – but it’s even better to do all we can to avoid them in the first place.
Of course, accidents happen, and anyone can experience a dental emergency. But if you follow the summer dental tips outlined above, you have an even better chance of avoiding an emergency altogether – and enjoying better health overall!
Are you worried about experiencing a dental emergency while on vacation? Contact our team to schedule an evaluation before you leave town.
CALL (310) 651-7660
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