The holidays have already begun for many and, with them, the necessary and beneficial change of habits to "recharge batteries". However, the modification of the routine also entails the neglect of some customs that should be maintained every day of the year. For example, spending more time on the streets, eating out, and consuming more unhealthy products can make oral health care more difficult. To prevent oral health from worsening during the summer, the General Council of Dentists recommends the following:

1. Maintain good hydration: the first sign of dehydration is a dry mouth sensation. To counteract the loss of fluids caused by sweating, it is necessary to drink 2 liters of water a day.

2. Follow a healthy diet: although during these days you eat away from home, you must try to eat in a healthy way, consuming fruit, vegetables, fish and olive oil, avoiding processed foods and fats. Also, alcohol and tobacco should be avoided.

3. Limit the consumption of sugary foods and drinks: in the summer season more carbonated drinks, ice creams and slushies are ingested. These foods raise the levels of acids that damage enamel, favoring the appearance of cavities.

4. Wear mouth guards if you do sports: on vacation is when more dental trauma occurs -both in children and adults-, because more physical exercise is practiced outdoors. It is advisable to use a mouth guard if you do contact sports. In case of dental fracture, the tooth must be preserved in saline, water or milk, and immediately go to a dentist to be able to carry out the most appropriate treatment.

5. Take care of oral hygiene: although it is more complicated due to the change in routine, you have to brush your teeth at least 2 times a day (for 2 minutes each time) with fluoride paste and use a floss or interdental brush at night. Because we are still in a pandemic due to Covid-19, it is essential to take care of the toothbrush, wash your hands well before and after using it, clean it, disinfect it, dry it, keep it protected in its cap, do not share it and do not store it with other brushes .

If it is not possible to brush your teeth, the best option is to chew sugar-free gum with xylitol for 20 minutes, as it produces saliva and helps cleaning, but it must be remembered that no gum or food, no matter how healthy, replaces it. brushed.

6. Do not neglect the treatments: if the discharge splints are used for bruxism or orthodontics, they should continue to be used for the hours recommended by the dentist.

7. Protect the lips: we must protect the lips from the effects of the sun with a suitable sunscreen to prevent them from burning, just as the rest of the body is protected.

8. Take advantage of visiting the dentist: during the winter, you have less time to go to the dentist. Taking advantage of the holidays, you can allocate an hour to go to review. A good general check-up for the whole family will avoid pain, complications and expenses in the future.