Family schedules look a lot different this time of year. Maybe your days are packed with outdoor activities, summer camps, and family vacations. Or maybe you’ve thrown the schedule out the window entirely. Either way, summer is all about making memories.
Those memories shouldn’t include an unexpected trip to the dentist. Summer routines can have a negative impact on your family’s oral health, but keeping a few habits in mind can help reduce the chances of developing cavities or experiencing a dental injury.
Give your family one more reason to smile this summer! Book a dental checkup with our Rochester dental team today.
Does Summer Really Affect a Family’s Oral Health?
It can, often because summer schedules disrupt the daily routines that help protect your teeth.
When school is out, bedtimes might shift around, vacation schedules take over, and daily habits are a lot less consistent. Kids might also snack more throughout the day and spend more time outside enjoying sugary treats. Vacations might also cause you to miss or delay necessary dental care.
The changes that come with summer can increase the risk of common dental issues such as:
- Forgetting to floss or brush
- More frequent exposure to sugary treats
- Sports-related dental injuries
A lot of summertime dental issues are preventable if you can stay consistent with your oral hygiene routine.
Why is Staying Hydrated Good for Your Teeth?
Most people know they need to stay hydrated as the temperatures climb, but they might not realize that hydration is important for the health of their teeth, too. Whether you’re spending the day at Lake Ontario or just running through a packed summer schedule, water belongs in the rotation.
Your mouth relies on saliva to wash away food particles and neutralize the acids in your mouth. Saliva plays a key role in protecting your teeth from harmful bacteria, too. When you are dehydrated, your body produces less saliva, and the cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth thrive.
Encourage the entire family to drink plenty of water throughout the day. You can do this by:
- Bringing reusable water bottles to activities and events
- Offering water between snack sessions
- Choosing water instead of sugary drinks when possible
Drinking plenty of water is one of the best and easiest ways to keep your summer smile healthy.
What Should Families Know About Summer Treats?
We all love a sweet treat in the summer! Popsicles on the front porch and lemonade bought from the local stand are all part of making summer memories.
Enjoying them occasionally is perfectly fine!
Just remember that sugary foods and drinks feed the bacteria in your mouth that cause cavities. Something like a sports drink might seem like a good alternative to water, but these drinks contain significant amounts of sugar and acid. They are best offered as an occasional treat instead of a daily drink, and avoid sipping on them throughout the day.
You can also reduce the impact of summer treats on your teeth by
- Enjoying treats with meals instead of frequent snacking throughout the day.
- Choosing water as a beverage as often as possible.
- Wait about 30 minutes to brush your teeth after drinking or eating something acidic.
How Can Families Maintain Healthy Dental Habits During Summer?
The best way for families to maintain healthy dental habits during the summer? Be consistent.
It’s easy to neglect brushing and flossing routines without a daily school schedule. Even a late-night camping trip or an early morning road trip can throw everyone off their normal dental routine.
It’s okay if your summer dental routine doesn’t look exactly like it does during the school year. Your goal should be to make sure oral care is still happening daily, even as schedules change.
You can make good oral care a little easier in the summer by
- Keeping travel-sized toothbrushes and toothpastes in your luggage
- Setting reminders for dental care on tablets or smartphones
- Tie oral hygiene routines to breakfast and bedtime, even during vacation
Visual charts or reward systems can keep everyone on track (even the big kids!).
When Should Kids Wear a Mouthguard for Summer Sports?
One thing we see more of in your office during the summer is dental emergencies due to recreational activities and youth sports.
A mouthguard for sports can protect teeth from serious injuries and reduce the risk of teeth getting chipped, cracked, or knocked out.
Children should consider wearing a mouthguard during activities like baseball, soccer, skateboarding, biking, and martial arts. Even a minor fall can lead to a serious dental injury.
If your child participates in organized sports, a properly fitted mouthguard can be one of the easiest ways to protect their teeth. It’s a small piece of equipment that can make a big difference.
What If You Have a Dental Emergency This Summer?
No matter how much you plan and prepare, accidents can happen. It might be a chipped tooth during a baseball game or a fall on the playground.
The first step is to stay calm. Dental emergencies can be stressful, especially when they happen to your child, but staying calm and acting quickly can make a difference.
You can start by rinsing the mouth with water and clearing out any debris. If there is bleeding, apply gentle pressure with clean gauze. For swelling, a cold compress applied to the face can help.
Then contact our Rochester dental team. We will be working all summer long and always leave space for emergency dental appointments. We can quickly assess what’s happened and help you determine the next steps and care plan. Our in-house services, such as same-day crowns, mean you can get more of the care you need done in a single visit rather than scheduling multiple appointments.
We’ll do our best to get your summer plans back on track.
Keep Your Family Smiling All Summer Long
Summers should be about enjoying time with the family, not dealing with dental problems. Don’t let your summer plans get interrupted by a toothache or an unexpected dental injury.
If you are planning summer travel or know it’s time for a checkup, get in touch with the Full Heart Dentistry team. We’ll help you schedule appointments for the whole family so you can start the summer with a fresh and healthy smile.