The General Council of Dentists of Spain and the Spanish Dental Foundation remember that oral health should not be neglected during the summer and advise the following:

 

1. Stay hydrated: drinking plenty of water to be continuously well hydrated is essential to counteract the loss of fluids that occur through sweating. The dry mouth sensation is the first sign of dehydration.

 

2. Eat healthy: high temperatures advise more than ever to consume fruits, vegetables and fish in abundance and reduce the supply of meat, sauces and copious foods.

 

3. Avoid carbonated drinks: in summer, their consumption skyrockets. Take them in moderation because they damage your teeth due to the amount of sugar they have. In addition, most are acidic and can damage tooth enamel.

 

4. Caution with the sport: in vacations it is the moment in which we usually practice more sport, for that reason in summer it is when more dental traumatisms take place. If you are going to practice contact sports, do not forget to put on a mouth guard and remember that, in case of trauma, it is necessary to urgently go to a dentist.

 

5. Take care of your oral hygiene: we are on vacation, but our mouth is not. Continue with your oral hygiene routine, brushing your teeth at least twice a day (for 2 minutes each time) with fluoride paste and cleaning yourself with silk or interdental brush at night.

 

6. Chew sugar-free gum: especially in those moments when you can't brush your teeth. Chewing gum produces saliva and helps with cleaning, although it never replaces brushing.

 

7. Be careful with chlorine: if you practice swimming professionally or spend many hours in the pool, you should know that chlorine alters the pH of the mouth, favoring the demineralization of the teeth. To avoid this effect, brush your teeth with fluoride paste and, if directed by the dentist, use a specific mouthwash.

 

Enjoy your summer. Think of your mouth, take care of your health.