Summer cookouts and BBQs are a great way to enjoy the warm weather with friends and family. Social gatherings, large or small, private events, community gatherings, or weekend afternoons with your neighbors always lead to indulging in various food items.
With numerous activities lined up this summer, the most commonly shared experience among patrons is the love of barbecue meats and grilled corn-on-the-cob. Along with burgers, pies, accompaniments like chips, and much more, holding back while others around you let go and give in to the sweet and savory flavors is a feeling nobody enjoys.
However, it is important to remember that it can have an impact on your oral health.
Our Premier Family Dental Care team is happy to provide the community of Gilbert & Chandler, with oral hygiene tips this summer break as we approach Memorial Day
With so much to do and much more to consider, we decided to focus on you. This is a small initiative to save you the hassle of navigation troubles and jargon how-tos over the internet, so you can satiate your cravings all you want this summer.
We have created a simple yet significant guide that is super convenient to follow and remember. Here is a lineup for you to try and maintain good oral health and create habits to enjoy a limitless and happier summer:
The ‘Before’ Brush
Most individuals often shower and brush right before calling it a night after a long day. What’s often amiss is – the before brushing. Consider it an unknown secret or something thoughtful – A quick 60-40 second brushing goes a long way. When you are heading out to the cookout, make sure to brush your teeth thoroughly. This will help to remove any food particles and plaque that may have built up on your teeth and gums.
Drinking Water
Hydration is usually overlooked during the summer. Consuming spritzers, sodas, and beers may be mistaken for keeping your body’s water levels up. Whereas drinking plenty of water throughout the event can help rinse your mouth of any food particles that may have accumulated on your teeth and gums. Additionally, staying hydrated can help promote saliva production, which can neutralize harmful acids in your mouth.
Avoid Sugary Drinks
Sugary drinks such as soda, iced tea, lemonade, and fruit punch can be harmful to your tooth enamel. Hence, it affects the quality of your teeth and gums, making them susceptible to sensitivity and aches. Instead, opt for still water, unsweetened tea, sugar-free drinks, freshly squeezed fruit juices, etc. These sugary drinks are generally artificially flavored and colored, making them harsh as they create saturation and deposit residue on teeth.
Wiser Food Choice
Choosing healthier food options like grilled vegetables, lean meats, and salads can be a great choice for your oral health. Avoid sugary sauces and dressings, and limit your consumption of starchy and sugary foods. This will reduce heavy deposits of fats and oils not only on your teeth and gums but also on your tongue. This is a common reason why some individuals have a heavily coated tongue.
Sugar-free Gum
Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production, making it difficult for harmful acids to linger in your mouth. Additionally, chewing gum can help dislodge any food particles that may have stuck in your teeth.
Brush + Floss After
Flossing is another such undervalued activity. Keeping floss just for the night before bedtime is an extremely common practice. Carrying dental floss can always be handy, as rigid meats and veggies, even seeds and nuts, tend to occupy gaps in our mouths. After the cookout, make sure to brush and floss your teeth meticulously to remove any food particles that may have accumulated on your teeth and gums. This prevents plaque and bacteria buildup that can cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Schedule a Dental Check-up
Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential for maintaining good oral health. If you haven’t had a check-up recently, schedule one after the cookout to ensure your teeth and gums are healthy.
All said, maintaining good oral hygiene during the summer involves brushing and flossing regularly, staying hydrated, avoiding sugary drinks at all costs, and managing unhealthy food options. By following these tips, you can enjoy the warm weather and delicious food while also keeping your teeth and gums healthy and beautiful.
Such basic habits are often underestimated but are rather foundational in building long-term overall health benefits.
We encourage all residents of Gilbert and Chandler to be sure and make an appointment for their dental check-ups, as we continue to help every family smile better.
