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The first day of summer is this week, Thursday, June 21. While dental health is always a good idea, there are several summertime particulars that you may be interested to know:
- Cooling summer treats. Popsicles, ice cream, frozen yogurt – from a dentist’s perspective, enjoying these things in moderation is fine; however, sugar is a leading cause of tooth decay. You can prevent cavities caused by summer treats by limiting your enjoyment of them, and by rinsing your mouth with water or brushing your teeth after eating them.
- Contact sports. Many students play sports over the summer like football, soccer, basketball and other high impact, contact sports. Tooth damage and mouth injury are a risk, but you can mitigate the risk by wearing a properly fitted sports mouth guard while you play.
- Ice cubes. An ice-cold drink on a hot summer day can be a great way to cool down. Be careful not to chew on the ice cubes. Even if you’ve been doing so for years without problems, chewing ice cubes can easily lead to a chipped or broken tooth.
- Hydrating with teeth-healthy beverages. We all tend to need more hydration when it gets hot outside. Choose the right beverages to reduce cavity risk. Soda, sports drinks and fruit juice (even without added sugar), are some of the main sugary culprits that increase tooth decay, especially if you sip on them all day. Substitute water, sparkling water or unsweetened iced tea. Your body and teeth will thank you!
Are you due for a cleaning or checkup? To arrange an appointment with our experienced Omaha dentists, or to learn more about us, please call one of our four office locations:
- Hillsborough: 402-802-9956
- Ralston: 402-307-6141
- Village Point: 402-307-6228
- Dundee: 402-307-6220