Sun's Out, Smiles Out

Swimming, relaxing, sleeping in, oh my! Summer is in full swing. This season is an exciting time for all, especially families with children. Nevertheless, summer break often coincides with a break from healthy oral habits since we get out of our routine.

We are here to remind you of the importance of caring for your mouth over the hottest season of the year! Here are five tips from our dental experts on how you can keep your teeth in tip-top shape throughout the summer.

#1: Get Into an Oral Habit Routine

We tend to loosen up in the summer: we stay up later, eat dinner at odd hours, and spend our days more flexible than in other seasons. A lack of structure also comes along with this freedom. As a result, we sometimes forget to maintain our oral hygiene habits, such as brushing and flossing.

We recommend creating a routine specifically for summer to prevent cavities and other oral health problems. Here are a few of our suggestions:

• Set clear expectations of brushing twice a day and flossing once a day for your entire family.
• Utilize a chart for your family to track who brushed when.
• Incentivize your children to brush and floss their teeth with stickers, a fun summer activity, or small toys.
• Follow these tips for you and your family's brushing routine:
  • Brush for at least 2 minutes
  • Use a soft-bristle toothbrush
  • Brush the back of the teeth
  • Brush your tongue
  • Use circular motions
  • Go front to back

#2: Avoid Too Many Sugary Drinks and Foods

When it's hot outside, it's tempting to grab an ice-cold soda or scoop of ice cream. However, overindulging in sugar can result in cavities, tooth sensitivity, decay, and halitosis.

Life is all about balance, so it is key to allow yourself to indulge occasionally. Simply make sure to enjoy these sugary treats in moderation. We suggest giving yourself a limit on sweet foods and drinks. You can try things like:

• Only drinking one soda a week
• Treating yourself with one piece of candy for every six fruits or vegetables you eat
• Reducing your portion sizes when eating things like ice cream — try eating one scoop instead of two

Additionally, it would help to hydrate with drinks other than coffee, soda, or tea throughout the day. By drinking water, you will stay hydrated, but you will also avoid the tooth staining effects of sugary foods and drinks. H20 also helps to cleanse your teeth, breath, and palate.

#3: Get Fitted For A Mouthguard

As you have more freedom in the summer, you have more time to do fun activities! Whether you are participating in summer sports, swimming, going biking, or running, you are generally more active during this season.

When you are more active, your mouth needs more protection. In the summer, you are often in physical contact with others or exposed to direct contact injuries from the pavement, pool siding, and other surfaces.

Enter mouthguards! Mouthguards are pertinent in protecting your teeth and your jaw structure, tongue, gums, mouth tissue, and cheeks. Aesthetic Family Dentistry 's mouthguards are designed in a dental lab to be custom-made and molded to fit your mouth.

Mouthguards can also save you money by preventing dental emergencies since they lessen your chances of experiencing tooth breaks, fractures, or other dental problems.

#4: Have a Plan for Dental Emergencies

Why should you have a dental emergency plan? Emergencies can happen anywhere, at any time. If you or a loved one experience a dental emergency, staying calm and knowing what to do is crucial.

At Aesthetic Family Dentistry, our fully-equipped office can handle an array of dental emergencies, and we offer same-day appointments if you require immediate assistance.

Specifically, our emergency services cover:

• Significantly chipped or broken teeth
• A lost filling or crown
• Persistent, severe mouth pain
• A tooth knocked out
• Injuries to the gum, tongue, or cheek
• A loose tooth
• A tooth abscess

#5 Schedule Your Appointment Early at Aesthetic Family Dentistry

Routine dental visits are essential for maintaining good oral health. Regular dental care keeps your gums and teeth clean and eliminates plaque and other harmful bacteria. If you have any problems, your dentist will assess if further dental work is needed.

While you have more flexibility and downtime in your summer schedule, go ahead and schedule your and your family's routine dental appointments before school starts back up. When you make your dental appointment, you take the first step towards creating your perfect smile.

At Aesthetic Family Dentistry, our warm, friendly, and helpful staff are ready to help you and your family as the one-stop shop for all your dental needs.

Call (845) 209-2500 or contact us online to schedule an appointment for all of your family's smiles today, before summer ends!