Summer Tips Just For Your Teeth
The kids are out of school, you have time off from work, family gatherings – summer bliss! The last thing you are probably thinking about is your teeth! Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic wants you to enjoy these summer months worry free, so please read on for a few important questions answered and few tips for keeping your oral health optimum during the summer months.
Leaving on vacation? You surely didn’t inquire while making plans about local dentist offices at your destination should something go wrong! But what will you do if you get a toothache away from home? Travelers and vacationers must be ready for dental emergencies such as toothache or injury. How unbearable it would be to endure time away from home with your mouth aching.
Have a Dental Check Up Before Leaving Town
It’s always best to get your teeth checked before going on a trip to make sure everything is in tip-top shape!At your checkup, your dentist will have your teeth cleaned, check for cavities or other dental issues, and make sure that any tooth restorations you may have, such as crowns or fillings, are firmly in place. Untreated cavities or weakened dental work can cause pain on flights, so it’s best to take care of them beforehand!
Watch What You Eat While Traveling
One of the reasons that we go on vacation is for the amazing food! Unfortunately, it’s pretty easy to get carried away. Just remember when you’re traveling this summer to eat sweets and snacks in moderation, and make sure to bring some sugarless chewing gum to pop in your mouth after eating. Research shows that chewing sugar-free gum for 20 minutes after eating can help prevent cavities!
Keep Up Your Oral Hygiene Routine
Vacating your normal life and responsibilities for a short time is what vacations are all about! It’s important that you don’t leave your oral hygiene at home, however. Keeping your teeth healthy is something that requires daily care, so make sure your toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss are at the top of your packing list!
Quick tip: When packing your toothbrush, make sure to store it in a case or bag that is ventilated. If you use a brush head cover or need to pack it in a bag without any ventilation, make sure it’s completely dry before storing it. This will help reduce the amount of bacteria on your toothbrush.
What should you eat and drink and what should you stay away from this summer? Dr. Charchuk wants you to stay hydrated and healthy. But think carefully when you choose your beverage – some drinks can increase your risk of tooth decay.
Drink water
Keep your mouth moist by drinking water throughout the day. This helps wash away plaque-causing bacteria and can even improve your breath.
Choose tap
Fluoridated tap water strengthens your enamel, making your teeth more resistant to decay.
Skip the bubbles
The acid in carbonated drinks can wear down your enamel.
Use a straw
If you drink acidic beverages, reduce their contact with your teeth by using a straw and finishing the drink quickly, instead of sipping over a long period of time.
Try tea
Tea contains compounds that suppress bacteria, slowing down tooth decay and gum disease. Just remember: Don’t add sugar!
When it comes to all the delicious treats we can savor during these wonderful months, some of them are not always the best for our teeth and gums. While we do not want you to sacrifice a delicious summer time meal, we think it is important for you to know which foods are detrimental to your teeth and gums verses which foods promote great oral health. It is possible to maintain your beautiful, healthy smile while still enjoying all the great summer foods out there.
Cheeses
The acid from the foods we eat can tear away at our teeth, but select dairy products can actually reduce the acid your mouth. Cheese is high in calcium, which makes teeth and bones stronger, but it also contains casein, a protein found in milk that is helpful in fortifying the tooth’s surface.There are plenty of fresh ways to incorporate cheeses into your summer dining; for instance, this one-pan pasta which includes fresh grated parmesan cheese.
Celery
Most raw, fresh vegetables are good for your oral health because their fibrous nature requires chewing, which causes an increase in saliva production. Celery is a great tooth-friendly food choice because it helps to clean out the mouth and break down the food for digestion. The reason celery is so great is because it breaks down into fibrous strands that naturally clean the teeth while chewing. For the best oral benefit, you should eat the celery in a raw state. This fresh salad recipe includes celery in the crisp form, and it can be served as the perfect side dish for some patio dining.
Pears
Sticking with the fresh fruits and vegetables, we turn to a fruit that is great for oral health: pears. Like celery, pears are fibrous in nature and they stimulate saliva production. Pears are especially beneficial because they have a larger acid neutralizing effect on the tooth’s surface than any other type of fresh fruit. A great way to incorporate pears into your summer cooking would be to add them into a salad like this Apple-Pear salad. Again, this is another fresh option that would accompany a great grilled entrée or to simply eat as a healthy, summer snack.
Raw Onion
You may be wondering why we are suggesting eating onions as they typically give you bad breath after eating them, but have no fear, a toothbrush is near! As far as the benefits go, the onion is known to eliminate bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease, so go ahead and add a few slices of these to your burger!
While you’re enjoying these bright summer days and relaxing warm evenings at home or abroad, Dr. Charchuk and his staff at Chinook Mall Family Dental Clinic encourage you to take good care of your teeth. Contact us at our Chinook Mall Office to schedule an appointment.
