5 Tips to Maintain Healthy Teeth and Gums This Summer

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums helps you maintain a healthy smile. Tooth care changes throughout the year. In summer, it’s important to keep up with your regular oral hygiene routine even as you go on vacations and visit friends and family. Your dentist in Lyndhurst, OH, can help you with this. The following five tips can help you maintain healthy teeth and gums. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Keep Up With Your Oral Hygiene Routine

Brush your teeth twice per day, for two minutes each time. Use a soft bristle toothbrush. Do this no matter where you are or what you’re doing. Remember to pack all the tools to keep up with your oral hygiene routine, even on vacation. Don’t forget the toothbrush, toothpaste, floss, or mouthwash!

2. Stay Hydrated

Hot sun and outdoor activities can be dehydrating. To keep up with your tooth care, drink plenty of water everywhere you go this summer.

Why is this important? Hydration is important for producing saliva that washes away food and bacteria from your teeth after you eat. Men need to drink about 15.5 cups of water each day, while women need to drink about 11.5 cups of water each day. If you have difficulty keeping up with water consumption throughout the day, bring a water bottle with you everywhere you go.

3. Don’t Chew Ice

Ice can be hard on your teeth, and if you have dental appliances like a crown or an implant, chewing on ice can cause your dental appliance to break. Avoid chewing ice. If you like putting ice in your mouth, suck on it to let it melt in your mouth slowly.

4. Limit Sugary Drinks and Snacks

When you go to barbecues and outdoor events, you’ll encounter a lot of sugary drinks and snacks this summer. Sugar consumption can cause cavities and other dental problems. Limit your consumption of ice cream, soda, and other sugary foods.

5. Keep Your Normal Dental Appointment

Is summer a time when you usually see the dentist? If so, keep your appointment. It’s important to get dental checkups in Lyndhurst, OH, every six months. Call today to get your dental appointment on the schedule.