Whether you’re planning on heading to the lake with your friends or jet-setting abroad with your family this summer, you don’t want a cracked, fractured, or otherwise damaged tooth to stand in your way. Otherwise, you’ll be spending the warmer months in your emergency dentist’s treatment chair instead of checking off the items on your bucket list. To reduce the chances of this happening to you, exercise caution with these summer activities that can damage your smile.
1. Frequent Snacking
Between BBQs and movie nights, many summer pastimes aren’t quite the same without snacks. While you don’t have to pass on your favorites for the sake of your oral health, it is important to be mindful of how often you’re eating without brushing your teeth afterward. This is one of the number one reasons tooth decay, gum disease, and other serious oral health concerns surface, after all.
Tip: keep an on-the-go oral hygiene kit with you so you can brush and floss wherever your summer plans take you!
2. Participating in Summer Sports
Volleyball, frisbee, and soccer are a few sports that allow you to soak up the summer sun. Unfortunately, all it takes is one rogue frisbee or one accidental elbow to the face while diving for the volleyball for you to seriously damage your teeth. That’s why it’s so important to take proactive measures to protect your smile, like wearing a mouthguard!
3. Swimming in a Pool with a Poor pH Balance
When the temperatures reach the high 90s and above, going to the pool is a must. Although this summer activity can help you cool down and swimming is a great form of exercise, a poor pH balance can wear down the enamel of your teeth. So, before you jump in, make sure to check that the pH balance is between 7.2 and 7.8!
4. Drinking Beverages with Added Sugar
Fresh lemonade and fizzy sodas are two quintessential summer beverages. Unfortunately, they are often loaded with added sugar as well. That means that the more you drink, the more likely it is that you’ll develop a cavity come fall. Therefore, it’s a good idea to keep your consumption of these drinks to a minimum and sip on water simultaneously when you do!
About the Doctor
It was actually Dr. Chung Chien Hsia’s own dentist that inspired him to be a provider that’s transparent, trustworthy, and helpful. When it came time for his studies, he attended the University of Central Florida as well as the Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine. Today, he has completed advanced training on nitrous oxide sedation and implant dentistry, allowing him to help even more patients in the Richardson area to get the comfortable and comprehensive dental care they deserve. If you have a question about your oral health or would like to schedule your next checkup and cleaning, don’t hesitate to visit his website or call (214) 432-1133.
