Summer is a wonderful time for relaxing and taking a break from daily routines. Many people choose to spend more time outdoors soaking up Vitamin D, during the summer months. Their extra days off from work become chances to get out of the office and to log quality time friends and family. Unfortunately, for many people, summer also becomes a time of lax dental hygiene, and a break in their normally diligent preventive dental care. If you want to enjoy the entire season, and the next, with a healthy smile, it is important to maintain great dental habits, even through these long summer days and exciting summer months!
What Does the Dentist Recommend for Maintaining a Healthy Smile?
To prevent cavities, gum disease and other common dental problems, here are some simple tips for caring for your smile.
- Stay hydrated. It’s important for your body and your smile.
Drinking water throughout the day is essential to maintaining a healthy body, but it is also imperative for maintaining great oral health. That is because water helps rinse food particles and bacteria from the surface of teeth between brushings, and it also helps create saliva, which is a natural plaque fighter.
Keep in mind that the common belief that a person needs eight 8 ounce glasses of water each day, is actually dependent on a person’s weight, activity level, and sun exposure to name a few variables. Talk to your dentist or doctor if you’re unsure how to stay properly hydrated.
If you experience chronic dry mouth, no matter how much water you drink, this can also be problematic for your oral health. Be sure to talk to your dentist about potential remedies for treating chronic dry mouth.