Ever felt that sharp pain biting into ice cream? You’re not the only one, as 57% of adults experience tooth sensitivity in the summer, turning treats into threats! Summer dental care is about more than just avoiding brain freeze. Your smile faces unique challenges in the heat, from dehydration to pool chlorine.

Getting your routine right means you can enjoy all those summer delights without worrying about your teeth. Keep your smile as bright as the longest summer day with the help of our experts as they share what they know in this blog!

Why Your Smile Needs Extra Love This Summer

Summer’s here, and while you’re enjoying the sun, your dental health faces some unique challenges! Those warm, fun-filled days can have a surprising impact on your smile. Your summer dental care routine needs a little tweak.

Heat and Hydration Effects

When it’s hot, you can get dehydrated easily. Less water means less saliva, which is your mouth’s natural protector against cavities and gum disease. A dry mouth is a party zone for bad bacteria! Think about those long days out, maybe a few extra sugary drinks or dehydrating adult beverages, all of this can lead to forgetting that crucial water intake.

Seasonal Diet Changes

Summer brings all those yummy treats: ice cream, popsicles, sugary drinks, and sweet BBQ sauces. Delicious, right? But they’re packed with sugars and acids that can attack your tooth enamel and cause cavities. Frozen treats might feel good on a hot day, but the cold plus sugar can make your teeth extra sensitive. And those acidic summer cocktails? They can wear down your enamel over time.

Routine Disruptions

Summer often throws our routines off track. Vacations, kids being home from school, and packed schedules can mean you sometimes skip brushing or flossing. Missing even a few days can lead to plaque buildup and future dental woes.

This is also a great time to schedule that long-overdue summer dental checkup, especially before you head out on vacation. No one wants a dental emergency when they’re trying to relax!

Keep your smile healthy and happy all summer long with Smile Center! Contact us for personalized summer oral hygiene advice and more!

Protecting  Your Smile in the Summer Heat

Stay Hydrated to Prevent Dry Mouth

Summer heat often leads to dehydration, resulting in decreased saliva production. Saliva is your mouth’s natural protector against cavities and gum disease! Therefore, aim for 8-10 glasses of water per day. Keep that reusable water bottle with you everywhere; your teeth will thank you!

Pro tip: Add cucumber or mint to water for a refreshing, teeth-friendly twist.

Choose Teeth-Friendly Summer Beverages

Those sugary sodas and colorful cocktails might be tempting, but they’re often packed with sugar and acids that can harm your enamel.

• Opt for: Unsweetened iced tea, coconut water, sparkling water with a splash of 100% fruit juice, or milk.
• If you do have sugary drinks, use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth, and rinse with water afterward (don’t brush immediately!).

Avoid Excessive Ice Chewing

That satisfying crunch of ice might seem harmless, but it can crack or chip your teeth, damage dental work, and cause sensitivity. Instead, let ice melt in your mouth or use crushed ice to protect your smile.

Protect Enamel from Chlorinated Pool Water

Did you know pool water can erode your enamel if its pH is off?

• Keep your mouth closed when swimming.
• Rinse with fresh water after getting out.
• Wait at least an hour before brushing (to avoid brushing softened enamel).
• If you own a pool, keep its pH between 7.2-7.8.

Summer is for fun, not dental emergencies! With these simple precautions, your smile will shine all season and protecting teeth in summer becomes easy.

Summer Foods that Boost Your Dental Health

Seasonal Fruits That Clean Teeth Naturally

• Apples: Their crispness scrubs away plaque and food bits like a natural toothbrush.
• Strawberries: Contain malic acid, which helps whiten teeth naturally.
• Watermelon: Being 90% water, it helps rinse your mouth and keeps you hydrated.
• Pineapple (and other fibrous fruits): Chewing them boosts saliva, your mouth’s natural defense!

Calcium-Rich Summer Treats for Stronger Teeth

• Greek yogurt parfait with berries: A double win, calcium for enamel, and berries for cleaning!
• Cheese: A slice after meals helps neutralize acids and provides calcium.

Homemade ice cream, made with milk and cream, is a calcium-packed treat that surpasses sugary store-bought kinds.

Foods That Stimulate Saliva Production

• Crunchy veggies, such as celery, cucumbers, and bell peppers, stimulate the production of saliva in your mouth.
• Herbs: Parsley and mint freshen breath and boost saliva flow.
• Water: Staying hydrated is key to good saliva production, especially in the heat!

Smart Alternatives to Sugary Summer Snacks

• Freeze pureed fruit or yogurt instead of sugary popsicles.
• Switch soda for sparkling water with a splash of 100% fruit juice.
• Choose sugar-free ice cream or frozen yogurt with fresh fruit.

Protecting Teeth While Enjoying Acidic Fruits

• Wait 30 minutes to brush after eating acidic foods.
• Rinse your mouth with water afterward.
• Eat acidic foods as part of a meal, not just alone.
• Pair them with acid-neutralizing foods like nuts or cheese for a smart dental strategy!

Enjoy all your favorite summer foods while keeping your smile sparkling! Contact Smile Center and learn more summer dental care to prep yourself for the summer!

Conquer Dental Sensitivity and Sports Safety

Beat Summer Dental Sensitivity

• Managing Cold Treats: Let ice cream soften slightly, take smaller bites, breathe through your nose, use a straw for cold drinks, and alternate between warm/cold foods. Avoid chomping directly on frozen treats; let them melt a bit.
• Specialized Products: Use desensitizing toothpastes (potassium nitrate/stannous fluoride) daily. Fluoride mouth rinses strengthen enamel. Sensitivity-specific dental strips and gels offer targeted relief.
• When to See a Dentist: If pain lasts over 30 seconds, is severe, or accompanied by chips/cracks, or persists despite products for two weeks, see your dentist. Increased sensitivity can signal underlying issues. Don’t wait!

Summer Sports and Dental Safety

Choose the Right Mouthguard

Drugstore options offer minimal protection. Invest in a custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist for serious protection in contact sports, it’s far cheaper than fixing a broken tooth!

• Stock: Least protection.
• Boil-and-bite: Better, but not custom.
• Custom-fitted: Gold standard for fit and protection.

Preventing Dental Emergencies

• Ditch bad habits: No chewing ice or using teeth as tools.
• Stay hydrated with water: Avoid sugary sports drinks that can weaken enamel.
• Wear a helmet with a face guard: Essential for cyclists/skateboarders for double protection.

Quick Response for Knocked-Out Teeth

• Find the tooth: Handle by the crown (top part), not the root.
• Rinse gently: With milk or saliva (never scrub).
• Reinsert if possible: Gently try to put it back in the socket.
• Keep it moist: If not reinserted, place between cheek/gum, in milk, or in a preservation kit.
• Call your dentist IMMEDIATELY: Time is crucial (within 30 minutes) to save the tooth!

Tackle these summer dental adversities with prompt and proper summer dental care along with Smile Center’s emergency dentist and other dental services!

Summer Smile Prep: Vacations & Dental Visits

Maintain Your Dental Routine During Vacation

• Travel-Friendly Products: Pack mini toothbrushes, travel-sized toothpaste, disposable floss picks, and pocket mouthwash. Keep them in a ventilated bag.
• Remember Your Routine: Set phone reminders, keep your dental kit visible in your hotel, or pair brushing with a consistent vacation activity (like morning coffee).

Emergency Dental Care While Away

• Research dentists at your destination beforehand.
• Save your regular dentist’s number for remote advice.
• Pack a basic dental first aid kit: Pain relievers, temporary filling material, dental wax, clove oil.
• Travel insurance often covers emergencies, so know your plan!

Adapting to Different Water Conditions

• Use bottled water for brushing in non-potable areas.
• Consider a UV toothbrush purifier for questionable water.
• Alcohol-free mouthwash helps with harsh water.
• Bring sensitivity toothpaste if water mineral content differs.

Schedule Smart: Summer Dental Visits

• Why Summer is Ideal: More flexible schedules and kids out of school make appointments easier. Better weather for travel, and dental offices often have extended summer hours. It’s also great for recovering from procedures without work pressure.
• Planning Procedures: Use vacation time for procedures like wisdom tooth extractions or dental implants, as you already have time off. This also helps maximize your dental insurance benefits before they expire!
• Back-to-School Dental Requirements: Schedule kids’ check-ups early to avoid the August rush. It means no missed school, time to address issues, and getting custom mouthguards for fall sports. Healthy teeth help kids focus in school!

Ready to make the most of your summer dental care? Call us at Smile Center to schedule your appointments and more!

How Smile Center Keeps Buffalo Smiling Bright All Summer!

Your Summer Smile Specialists

What makes us different? We blend advanced dental technology with friendly Buffalo hospitality. Whether you need a routine summer dental care, checkup or emergency dental after a summer sports mishap, you’ll get refreshing, top-notch service.

Our Summer Dental Services

• Quick Checkups for Vacation Readiness: Get a fast check before you travel to avoid dental issues on your trip.
• Emergency Dental Care: Accidents happen, and we’re here when you need us most.
• Teeth Whitening: Get that perfect, bright smile for all your summer events and photos.

Buffalo’s Summer Smile Protection Program

• Personalized hydration tips to fight dry mouth.
• Protective treatments to strengthen your enamel against summer treats.
• Dental tips to keep your routine consistent, even when traveling.
• Recommendations for lip sun protection!

You deserve a dental team that considers your oral health year-round. When temperatures rise, count on Smile Center to help you maintain a bright, healthy smile that makes Buffalo summers even more beautiful.

Keep Your Smile as Bright as the Summer Sun with Smile Center!

Your dental health doesn’t take a vacation, even when you do! Summer dental care brings unique challenges (sugary treats, sports) but also chances for better oral health. Stick to your routine, pick smile-friendly foods, protect your teeth during activities, and address sensitivity. You’ll enjoy the season with a healthy, confident grin.

Summer is ideal for dental check-ups, especially for kids out of school. Smile Center in Buffalo, WNY, is ready to help with convenient appointments and comprehensive care. Make your dental health a priority this summer for a bright, beautiful smile!

Ready to flash your best smile all summer long? Contact Smile Center in Buffalo, WNY, today! Visit us at www.smilecenterny.com or call (716) 634-4090 to schedule your sun-ready smile transformation!