Keep Your Smile Safe This Summer

The long, sunny days of summer bring big fun, but some of the most popular seasonal activities can also damage even the healthiest smiles. Here’s what to watch out for, along with tips to help keep smiles bright and healthy:

Swimming pool chemicals – Spend six hours or more per week in the pool and teeth may develop a yellow or brown tinge that requires a professional cleaning to remove it. Called “swimmer’s calculus,” it is caused by the relatively high pH of chemically treated pool water. Daily use of an electronic toothbrush and whitening toothpaste can help keep your smile bright. But ask your dental hygienist for advice on how to manage calculus if you’ve had restorative or cosmetic dental treatments – whitening toothpaste may be too harsh.

Regardless of the season, avoid chewing on ice, as it can cause cracked and chipped teeth, damage to tooth enamel, problems with existing dental work such as fillings and crowns, and sore jaw muscles. Those who just cannot quit the ice-chomping habit should get a physical checkup – studies have linked a compulsion to chew ice to anemia.

Staying hydrated during a hot Summer day is critical for overall wellness and dental health. A dry mouth can result in damage to tooth enamel and cause dental decay. Besides drinking water, chewing sugarless gum can also help stimulate saliva flow as can mouth rinses developed for dry mouth care. If dry mouth persists, have a dentist or another health professional evaluate the problem.

“Barodontalgia,” also known as “Tooth Squeeze,” is oral pain caused by a change in air pressure. This syndrome typically does not affect healthy teeth, but can cause problems for those with gum disease, dental infections, decay, abscesses and failing or incomplete dental restoration work. Regular dental checkups and good oral hygiene make underwater adventures far more pleasant.

Quenching thirst with energy/sports drinks, citrus juices or acidic drinks like lemonade weakens tooth enamel, which can lead to cavities and even tooth loss. Limit intake of artificially flavored, sugar-free treats that include citric acid and phosphoric acid. Also, limit acidic foods such as tomatoes, citrus fruits, sour candies, and vinegary pickles. When indulging in these foods or drinks, rinse mouths with plain water and wait an hour or so before brushing. Brushing teeth shortly after exposure to acids can worsen the damage.

On a boat, at poolside or caught in a summer downpour, wet surfaces can result in slips and falls that can create dental damage. If a tooth or teeth have been loosened, knocked out, broken or chipped, try to see a dentist ASAP – within 12 hours or less. Knowing what to do during a dental emergency (see Sports, above), and getting prompt professional help, greatly increases the chances that a tooth can be restored to health.

And here’s a tip that works year-round – prepare for the unexpected with a dental savings plan. Also known as dental discount plans, plan members can save 10-60% on virtually all preventive and emergency dental care from a nationwide network of dentists. Learn more here.