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The General Council of Dentists launches “Healthy mouth, happy summer”, a ten-point guide to maintaining good oral health during the holidays
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Summer is synonymous with rest, travel, and eating out, but it's also the time of year when oral health becomes more vulnerable. To ensure that vacations don't take a toll on our mouths, the General Council of Dentists has created "Healthy Mouth, Happy Summer" a ten-point guide to enjoying the summer months while taking care of our smiles.
1.- Protect your teeth from trauma: Summer brings an increase in outdoor activities and, consequently, a greater risk of dental injuries and fractures. Custom-made mouthguards are recommended, especially when playing contact sports.
2.- Increase your intake of fruits and vegetables: although changes in routine are inevitable these days, you should opt for a healthy and balanced diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, and dairy products. This will help prevent enamel demineralization and reduce the risk of cavities.
3.- Drink plenty of water: keeping your mouth moist promotes saliva production and protects against cavities, gum disease, bad breath, and other oral health problems, so it's essential to stay hydrated, especially in summer with high temperatures.
4.- Limit carbonated and acidic drinks: the healthiest ways to stay hydrated are water, fruit, or unsweetened herbal teas. Soft drinks, juices, and energy drinks have high sugar levels, which increases the risk of enamel demineralization, erosion, and therefore, cavities.
5.- Maintain your oral hygiene routine: eating out can make it harder to keep up with your oral hygiene. However, be sure to brush your teeth with fluoridated toothpaste at least twice a day for two minutes, in the morning and before bed. If brushing isn't possible, you can occasionally chew sugar-free xylitol gum.
6.- Don't forget nighttime interdental cleaning: it's just as important as brushing, because if you don't use dental floss or an interdental brush, you'll leave 35% of your tooth surface uncleaned. It's crucial for removing food debris and plaque that gets trapped between your teeth.
7.- Protect your lips from the sun: unprotected sun exposure can lead to certain types of skin cancer and can also affect the lips. Wear a hat and protect your lips with lip balms containing sun protection factor (SPF).
8.- Don't smoke: tobacco is one of the main risk factors for oral cancer, and it also causes tooth staining, bad breath, and periodontal disease.
9.- Avoid alcoholic beverages: alcohol consumption increases in summer. Most alcoholic drinks are acidic, so they can cause tooth erosion, sensitivity, and cavities. They also cause dehydration of the oral mucosa and, if consumed in excess, can increase the risk of falls and dental trauma.
10.- Visit the dentist after your vacation: the ideal time to see the dentist is after summer, just before returning to your work and school routine. A dental checkup can detect any problems that may have arisen during your vacation.