Keep Your Smile Healthy with These Tips from our Edgewater NJ Dentist!

Dental emergencies are very common in the summer because we tend to be more active and spend a lot of time at events. Be cautious when it comes to activities so that you can protect your dental and oral health. Check out these summer safety tips from our Edgewater NJ dentist so that you can have safe fun in the sun all summer long!

 

Don't Use Your Teeth to Open Anything

It can be tempting to use your teeth to open items like bottles or containers with your teeth because they are the hardest surface in the body. However, your teeth are not invincible! Opening bottles with your teeth can lead to serious damage to your smile and it can seriously hurt if you end up breaking a tooth. Chipping your teeth can be dangerous if it leaves sharp edges or cracks. If your tooth cracks all the way down to the gumline, you can be seriously endangering your smile. Use your hands to open anything tough, and just ask for help if you can't do it alone.

 

Use SPF!

Chapstick with SPF can help protect your lips from harmful UV rays. Our lips need some special attention during the summer months, especially if you spend a lot of time outdoors. Sunburn can occur on our lips and can lead to painful sores and even skin cancer. Our Edgewater NJ dentist recommends using SPF 15 on our lips, and even higher SPF on our face. Protect your skin to maintain your healthy and youthful appearance, and to guard yourself from the dangers of skin cancer. 

 

Maintain a Routine

During the summer we like to stay out late and go on day trips, which can really throw off our regular routine. Try to maintain a normal dental care routine to protect your smile all summer long. If you know you'll be staying somewhere away from home, bring your toothbrush along so that you can keep your smile clean. Always brush your teeth before breakfast and right before bed. Don't skip flossing or else you may be leaving food in hard-to-reach areas of your smile. Finish off by rinsing any remaining debris so that your smile can be totally fresh for bed! Maintaining a dental care routine can really help protect you from dental disease and decay, so try your best to stick to a schedule when possible.

 

Drink Plenty of Water

Of course, it is important to stay hydrated as it gets hotter outside. This is necessary to keep our whole body functioning, but it is also essential for your smile. Drinking water throughout the day helps to wash away food debris and keep our smile clean. When given the option between sugary drinks like soda or juice, go for water instead. A lot of people drink more sugar or eat things like ice cream and ice pops in the summer. This is fine in moderation, but be sure to rinse your mouth with water after. If you take good care of your smile it will take good care of you, so be sure to try your best!

 

For more summer dental care tips, call our Edgewater NJ dentist. You can reach our office by calling (201) 461-5400 or by filling out an appointment request form directly on our site. We look forward to seeing your smile again soon! Enjoy your summer and show off those pearly whites!