Oral Care Guide For When The Heat Is On

Warmer summer weather can bring specific challenges to our teeth and gums

With summer now fully upon us, although seemingly taking a short break at the time of writing, we thought that it would be useful to take a look at some of the ways in which this particular season of the year can affect our oral health. Also what our local Acton patients can do to prevent any harm coming to their teeth and gums caused by it.

Some of the suggestions below will apply all year round of course, but some are more specific to hot weather. Even if we think that we generally take good care of our teeth and gums, we should pay special attention  at this time of the year.

Dehydration

Our bodies can become dehydrated at any time of the year, but the heat of summer means that it is much more likely to happen. Dehydration not only potentially affects our general health, including organs such as the kidney and liver, but can also have a major impact on our oral health too. Dehydration commonly leads to us having a dry mouth, and, as readers of our blogs will know, this can lead to an increase in bacteria that can contribute to gum disease. Make sure to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

Increased intake of sugary drinks

Related to the above; whether we feel dehydrated or simply want to refresh ourselves on a really hot day, many of us will turn to readily available beverages that are often high in sugar and acidic ingredients. These may taste nice but not only will the increase in sugar potentially lead to tooth decay but the acidity in these drinks can damage the enamel, causing it to erode. Damage to this protective layer of the teeth can lead to sensitive and painful teeth. Make sure to keep these drinks to a minimum and rely on water as much as possible to quench your thirst.

Barbeques

Barbeques are more common now than they used to be and many of us will attend at least one during the summer months. Barbeques can be a great excuse to get together with friends and family during the warm weather and don’t need to be unhealthy either. There are two things that patients of the Acton Vale Dental Centre should beware of though. Firstly, many barbequed foods are marinated which often results in a tasty but very sticky coating when cooked. This then becomes stuck to, and inbetween, the teeth and can be very difficult to remove.  You could try to avoid these but as they taste nice, you probably won’t. Make sure to drink plenty of water which will help to remove some of the sticky food but also brush your teeth well, and definitely use dental floss to remove any remnants that have become trapped between the teeth.

The other issue with barbecues is often the amount of alcohol consumed at them. You should be aware that alcohol is one of the main contributory factors to both oral cancer and periodontal disease. In addition to this, accidents are more likely to happen, potentially resulting in broken or damaged teeth if you drink too much. Make sure to drink in moderation.

Tiredness

The hot weather can make us tired more easily and, especially when it is humid too, can make everything feel like an effort. While it is perfectly acceptable to take things easier when the weather is like this, we should be careful not to slacken our approach to keeping our teeth and gums clean. However tired you are, you should never go to bed without brushing and flossing your teeth as usual. Failure to do so could well result in a decline in your oral health.

Holidays

A lot of us will travel abroad on holiday this year and, for most of us, it will be a time when we can relax and indulge ourselves. You are entitled to do this of course, but please don’t forget to look after your teeth too. Many of the things previously mentioned, such as consuming alcohol and sugary drinks are likely to apply, so please take care to be sensible about that. Also, remember to pack your toothbrush and floss! This is one of the items we commonly forget and may result in a few days of not cleaning your teeth at all.

Failure to keep appointments

Finally, summer can be a busy time and it is easy to forget things like dental appointments. Please try not to do this. Not only does it increase your risk of oral health issues but also wastes the dentist’s time and denies the appointment to someone who may need it. We do understand that our Acton patients sometimes have things that crop up at the same time as their appointment and which are unavoidable. The important thing is to please let us know so that we can reschedule your appointment and offer your original one to someone who needs it.

We hope that you find this information useful and that you all have a great summer with no dental issues. If you would like to make an appointment with us (or indeed if you need to cancel one), please call the Acton Vale Dental Centre today on 020 8749 3267.