3 Summer Activities That Could Harm Your Smile

Summer doesn’t just give you a break from work, school, and other responsibilities. It also gives you plenty of fun and exciting things to do! After all, how else could the season entertain you for months on end? That said, though, you should also be careful about these activities. Some of them may end up hurting your smile. Fortunately, your dentist in Love Field can help keep that from happening. Here are three kinds of summer fun to protect your smile from this season.

Icy Treats

Dessert-type foods like ice cream, popsicles, and snow cones are great for cooling off in hot weather. Still, they’re not always ideal for your pearly whites.

If your teeth are sensitive to the cold, such treats can cause pain. When that happens, it may signify you have a cavity or exposed tooth roots.

Those with sensitive teeth, though, can avoid soreness by using desensitizing toothpaste instead of whitening ones. Avoid using a hard-bristled toothbrush or overbrushing as well.

Sweet Drinks

Lemonade, sweet tea, sports drinks, and soda can quench your thirst, but they also expose you to lots of sugar. As a result, they trigger mouth bacteria to produce enamel-eroding acids. Drinking too many of them can even lead to tooth decay, cavities, and an increased risk of heart disease and diabetes.

To stay on the safe side, you should limit your sweet and acidic beverages. Also, use a straw when you do have them. That way, you can keep the sugary liquid from reaching your teeth.

Summer Sports

The summer season is also a time to play for playing many sports. Unfortunately, these games can result in injuries to your teeth, mouth, and gums.

Even so-called “non-contact” sports can cause dental accidents. In baseball, you might get hit in the mouth by a pitch or fly ball. Meanwhile, biking and skateboarding often involve falls that knock out teeth. Flag football may lead your mouth to get hit by a pass or another player.

For sports like those mentioned, try to prevent such accidents by wearing a mouthguard. Doing so will stop or minimize damage to the mouth should an injury occur. Many mouthguards can be bought at sporting-goods stores or be custom-made by your local dentist.

Don’t let your summer fun come at the cost of your smile. Remember the protective tips above so you won’t have to worry about dental damage this season!

About the Author

Dr. Robert. E. Tafel is a dentist in the Love Field region of Dallas, TX. His services specialize in preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dentistry, as well as emergency treatments and orthodontics. As such, you can get dental care for your whole family in one convenient location! Dr. Tafel currently practices at Bear Creek Family Dentistry and can be reached at his website or by phone at (972)-490-1600.