Now that summer is here, you’re probably pumped for some fun in the sun. Perhaps you’re already prepping for a family summer vacation! Still, you’ll want to be careful of this season’s distinct activities. Several summer hobbies are risky for smiles, sometimes leading to tooth damage. Luckily, your local Chardon dentist can keep your grin safe. Here, then, are three summer activities that can harm smiles and how to keep them from doing so.
Eating Summer Sweets
Summer is well-known for its sweet treats and drinks, which can cool you off in steamy weather. Unfortunately, they’re not great for your chompers.
You see, these items are often chilled. Just think about it – summer often features ice cream, popsicles, and snow cones. However, chilliness can cause pain in sensitive teeth. Such aches are especially likely if you have a cavity or exposed tooth roots.
Thankfully, there are some workarounds for this issue. One is to use desensitizing toothpaste, which will numb your pearly whites to the cold. Others, meanwhile, include using a soft-bristled toothbrush and avoiding overbrushing.
Swimming in Summer Pools
So long as you follow local rules, you might think pools are harmless. In truth, though, they can still damage your teeth.
As it happens, pool water sometimes gets acidic. This acidity, in turn, can erode your tooth enamel rapidly. That fact applies even if the pool’s pH balance is as high as 7.
Given this fact, make sure to check your pool’s pH levels before taking a dip. You’ll want test-strip results that are between 7.2 and 7.8. If the values are lower than that range, you should switch pools.
Playing Summer Sports
Summer is a great time to play various sports. Even so, these games demand caution – they can result in tooth, gum, or mouth injuries.
Whether contact or non-contact, sports easily lead to accidents. Baseball, for instance, might involve a pitch to the mouth. Biking and skateboarding, meanwhile, may result in falls that cause knocked-out teeth. Flag football also has the risk of getting hit by another player.
To prevent such incidents, you should wear a mouthguard for sporting events. The appliance will keep dental injuries from occurring. It should be easy enough to find one, as they can be bought at sporting goods stores or custom-made by a dentist.
Don’t let activities risky for smiles get in the way of summer fun. Instead, exercise prudence so your grin shows the good time you’re having!
About the Practice
Hilltop Family Dental is based in Chardon, OH. Led by Dr. Robert Nicholas Slezak, our practice offers comprehensive dental care for all ages. To that end, we perform custom treatments that span preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry. Our team is also equipped with the latest dental technology, which ensures you’ll receive highly-effective results! For more information or to book a visit, reach us on our website or by phone at (972)-546-4114.