With the arrival of summer come family vacations, summer camp, and lazy days by the pool. There are also plenty of fun events and activities full of summertime food. If you wear braces, summer brings an array of important ways to keep your smile protected.
Summer Activities
Warm weather beckons people to the outdoors to enjoy all sorts of sports and physical activities. Be sure to keep your mouthguard handy to avoid injuries that could result in painful and costly repair to your teeth and braces.
Summer Barbecues
Delicious food abounds at your backyard get-togethers and holiday events. However, brace wearers need to use caution when enjoying those summer delicacies. Hard food options like corn on the cob or candies can damage orthodontic appliances.
During this warmer weather, sweets seem to take center stage. Overindulging can lead to cavities when pieces of food get stuck in your wires and brackets. Of course, it is not taboo to enjoy some of those sweets but be sure to take extra time to practice good dental hygiene. Thoroughly brush, floss, and rinse to help clean out particles left behind. It is also important to drink plenty of water to help flush stubborn food remnants from your braces as well.
Sun Protection
Most people know UV rays are harmful to their skin. However, lips are often overlooked even though they need to be taken care of too. Use a lip balm that contains an SPF of at least 15 to keep lips protected when you are outside in the sun.
Daily hygiene
During these relaxing days, it is easy to let your oral hygiene routine slip. It is critical that you continue to care for your mouth and teeth properly. This is especially true for those who wear braces. In fact, with all the added summer foods and sweets you may even want to add an extra brushing to your routine.
Time for camp
When you head off to a summer camp for the summer season, do not forget to bring your oral care supplies. If you do not maintain your dental routine even when you are away from home, you may end up lengthening the time you need to wear your braces.
The best way to encourage yourself to take care of your oral health is to put together a dental care kit. With a prepared kit, everything you need is in one spot. This makes dental care easy and convenient so it is more likely that you will brush as you should even when you do not particularly want to. This kit should contain everything you need to properly care for your teeth and braces when you are far from home:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Wax for your braces
- Aligner tray
- Mouthguard
- Small hand-held dental mirror
- Flossers with a pick on the end
- Mouthwash
- The name and number of your orthodontist in case of emergency – Dr. Rick Herrmann (817) 473-9880
- Names of orthodontists local to where you will be staying
Keeping up with oral care in the Summer
Summer is a fun and relaxing time that can distract you from mundane things like your oral hygiene. Summer nights can be just as fun and late nights make you just want to crash, neglecting your smile. Just remember, a beautiful tan looks even better with a bright, healthy smile. Stick to your oral health routine and take extra precaution when indulging in those summertime sweets. With the proper attention, your braces can do their job and you can enjoy a lifetime of confidence with a beautiful set of teeth.