Keep Your Healthy Smiles All Summer

Keep Your Healthy Smiles All Summer

The official start of summer may still be more than a month away, but for many kids, the summer break will be starting soon. This is also a good time to remind your family of the things you can do to keep your happy, healthy smiles during the hottest months of the year.

For children that get a summer break from school, this also is a great time to schedule dental appointments. Call (858) 762-9991 to plan a visit with our team at the office of Brian Davey, DDS, in Torrey Highlands, San Diego, CA. Pediatric care is part of our family dentistry. We welcome toddlers and infants, and we encourage you to bring your kids for routine dental cleanings and exams around the age of 4 or 5 years old.

That’s just one thing we want you to keep in the mind during the months ahead. Below, you’ll find some tips for keeping your smiles looking great.

Enjoy The Warm Weather

One of the best parts about living in San Diego is the many outdoor activities you can do during the summer months. If you and your family like to get out and play in the sunshine, one of the most important things you can do is drink water.

Staying hydrated is important whether you are working in the garden or working on your favorite sport. As important as it is for your overall health, it’s just as important for your oral health. Dehydration can cause your mouth to become dry. This is a problem because a dry mouth is a good environment for harmful bacteria. When those bacteria thrive, you are more likely to develop tooth decay and gum disease.

That’s just one of the reasons you should drink water, however. Soft drinks and sports drinks are often high in sugar. Again, that is good for the bacteria that cause cavities. It’s not as good for your smile.

One more thing to keep in mind, soft drinks are acidic. The acids in those beverages can wear down the enamel of teeth, which makes them weaker and more vulnerable to decay.

We enjoy an ice cream as much as anyone, and from time to time, it can be a wonderful treat on a hot, summer day. But it’s not something you should eat every day (again, sugar). So, if you know your kids are going to eat snacks, it’s a good idea to keep healthy snack options in the kitchen. Fruits and vegetables can make for great treats on their own. A little peanut or nut butter can be delicious with apple slices, while hummus is a nice option to go with celery or carrots.

Playing sports is a great way to keep in shape, but they do come with a risk of injury. That includes dental injuries. You don’t want your kids to have a dental emergency due to a fall or getting hit in the mouth with a ball or during a collision.
Wearing a mouthguard can go a long way toward reducing your loved ones’ risk of breaking or losing teeth. We can make custom-fitted mouthguards at our dental office in Torrey Highlands, which provide better protection and are more comfortable to wear than mouthguards you can get in stores.

Remember The Basics

No matter what time of year it is, you should always remember the basics. Brush and floss daily, and schedule a routine cleaning at Dr. Davey’s office if you haven’t already. You want your family to have healthy smiles, and so do we.

Call (858) 762-9991 or contact us online.