Taking care of your dental health is essential in every season. A busy schedule and strict deadlines have made it very difficult for most of us to invest both time and effort in oral care. Ignoring your teeth and gums for an extended period can lead to several dental problems like bleeding gums and tooth decay. Summer break is not a time to take a break from your oral health. The following tips will help you to stay healthy as the temperature soars.
STAY HYDRATED
Drinking plenty of water can help prevent dry mouth and keep your saliva flowing. Saliva is important for neutralising acids in the mouth that can cause tooth decay. Choose unsweetened iced tea, buttermilk or coconut water when possible, over any carbonated sugary drinks or alcohol. Carbonated water with sugar breaks down the enamel on your teeth faster, leaving them defenceless to tooth decay and bacteria fed by the sugar in drinks. If you enjoy a sugary drink every once in a while, try drinking it with a straw since it limits the contact the beverage has with your teeth.
Dry mouth due to decreased water intake can also cause an oral burning sensation, which can create problems with eating spicy or crunchy foods. For those playing outdoor sports like cricket or golf, double your intake of water and make sure you carry ORS (oral rehydrating solution) and keep replenishing body fluids and electrolytes.
PROTECT YOUR LIPS
Lips are particularly prone to getting affected by long periods in the sun and a sun-block lipstick can guard against that
The skin on your lips is thinner and contains less melanin, making them sensitive to sunlight and prone to sunburns. Too much sun exposure could lead to an increased risk of skin cancer of your lips. The most effective way to protect your lips from the sun is to use a sunscreen chapstick with an SPF of at least 25. Lip balms are specially designed to help protect your lips and are easily applied. Dry lips can get traumatised by the edges of the teeth and can bleed. Water intake and moisturising your lips before stepping out help in protecting these delicate structures.
WATCH WHAT YOU EAT
Summer is a time for cold water, sherbets, beer and ice creams. While it’s okay to indulge once in a while, be mindful of how much sugar you’re consuming. Try to choose healthier snacks like fruits and vegetables.
Ice Cream: Although ice cream is a classic summer treat, it is high in sugar and can cause tooth decay if consumed in excess.
Citrus Fruits: Citrus fruits like lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruit are high in acid, which can erode tooth enamel and lead to tooth sensitivity.
Sticky Snacks: Snacks like caramel popcorn, gummy bears and hard candy toffees can stick to your teeth and increase the risk of tooth decay. Instead, opt for crunchy snacks like carrots, cucumbers and apples, which are fibrous and can help clean your teeth and promote saliva production.
Alcohol: Alcohol can cause dehydration, which can lead to dry mouth and increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
If you do indulge in ice cream, citrus fruits, sticky snacks or alcohol, be sure to brush your teeth afterwards or rinse your mouth with water.
AVOID CHEWING ON ICE
While it’s tempting to chew on ice cubes, particularly those at the bottom of the glass after your cool drink is over, they are hard and can even break teeth
Have you ever finished an ice-cold drink on a hot summer’s day only to begin mindlessly chewing on the leftover ice? Chewing on ice is an incredibly popular bad habit that can be detrimental to your oral health and can lead to the following problems:
Damaged tooth enamel: Your tooth enamel is what protects your teeth from sugar, acid, and tooth decay. If the enamel becomes damaged, you are more susceptible to getting cavities.
Cracked or chipped teeth: Your teeth may not be as tough as you think. Ice is actually hard enough to crack your teeth. If you do ever suffer from a cracked tooth, make sure to put any parts of the tooth directly into a cup of milk and call your dentist right away. In some cases, cracked teeth can be saved if repaired quickly enough.
Damaged braces or dental fillings: Just as ice is tough enough to directly crack your teeth, it can also cause some serious damage to any existing oral appliances like braces or fillings.
USE MOUTHWASH AFTER BRUSHING
Mouthwash should be used as a complement to brushing and flossing, not as a replacement. Brush your teeth and floss before using mouthwash to remove any food particles and plaque. Follow the instructions on the mouthwash label carefully, including the amount to use and how long to swish it around in your mouth. Generally, you should use about a half-cap of mouthwash and swish it around in your mouth for about 30 seconds before spitting it out. While using mouthwash can be beneficial for your oral health, it should not replace good oral hygiene practices like brushing and flossing.
Some mouthwash contains high levels of alcohol, which can cause dry mouth and irritate sensitive oral tissues. If you experience any discomfort or irritation after using mouthwash, try switching to an alcohol-free formula. However, continuous long-term unsupervised (by the dentist) mouthwash use is not recommended as it can cause dry mouth, sores and teeth stains. Casual use once daily for up to two weeks is considered to be harmless. Mouthwash is not recommended for those below eight years of age.
PRACTISE GOOD ORAL HYGIENE
Taking care of oral hygiene is a must and should include the gamut of brushing, flossing and using mouthwash
A water floss is a handy dental aid to have when one is travelling
Regular visits to the dentist is a must to ensure that problems, if any, are spotted early and rectified
Brush your teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste, floss daily, and use mouthwash to help kill bacteria and freshen breath. Make sure to brush for at least two minutes and replace your toothbrush every two to three months. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, brush in a circular motion for two minutes, and be sure to use gentle pressure. Brushing does not effectively clean between the teeth and one must also floss (threaded or water-floss) to clean 100 per cent of our teeth surfaces.
TRAVEL AND ORAL HYGIENE
Summer is a time for travelling with kids. Watching snacking, sticking to daily brushing and carrying a handy portable water floss, which is an extremely useful device for total oral care, is recommended. A water floss is a motorised mini jet-spray-like device which cleans the areas between teeth effectively.
VISIT YOUR DENTIST REGULARLY
Finally, summer is here and it is a fun time for the whole family! Whether you’re looking forward to hitting the beach or sitting by the pool (or both), it’s important to remember that you don’t get a vacation from taking care of your oral health. Regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining good oral health. Schedule a check-up with your dentist at least twice a year to catch and treat any potential problems before they become more serious or expensive to treat. Remember that good oral health starts with a balanced diet, proper oral hygiene, and regular dental check-ups. By making smart food choices and taking care of your teeth, you can enjoy a healthy, happy smile all summer long!
Dr Kamlesh Kothari is an oral and maxillofacial surgeon with a special focus on advanced dental and maxillofacial implantology. He is the director of Aesthetica —- Dental Implant Clinic at Vasundhara, 2/7 Sarat Bose Road, Calcutta. He can be reached at 9830183000, drkamleshkothari@gmail.com or www.aesthetica.co.in