The summertime comes with holidays, parties, beachside fun times, and barbecues with friends and family. All of that means lots of food, treats, drinks, and alcohol. Ensure you take care of your teeth so you can flash your smile and enjoy the good times.

Below are various tips for maintaining oral health during summer’s silly season.

Watch What You Drink

Many of the social activities over the silly season involve drinking various beverages while you are lost in conversation or other fun activities. It’s easy to lose track of how many drinks you’ve had. Unfortunately, lots of beverages come with plenty of hidden sugar.

For instance, here are some examples of the amount of sugar contained in 100mls of some beverages:

• Gin & tonic has close to two teaspoons
• Regular white wine has one teaspoon
• Soft drinks contain about three teaspoons
• Energy drinks have between two and a half and three teaspoons
• Sports drinks contain one to two teaspoons

The more drinks you consume, the higher the sugar you ingest, which is terrible for your teeth, so consume any beverage in moderation. In addition, go for drinks with the lowest sugar, such as white spirits like gin & vodka.

Some sugarless drinks are also bad because they contain too much acid, which damages the teeth, so drink with a straw to avoid acid on your teeth whenever possible.

Water remains the best for keeping your teeth free from cavity-causing substances. You can add some herbs like mint or fresh fruits, so you don’t feel left out from the festivities.

Take Care of Your Teeth

The fun of summer days and wonderful nights out can keep you so busy you may start skipping your oral care routine.

However, it’s critical to brush your teeth a minimum of twice every day to keep your teeth in good condition. Take extra care to ensure you brush before going to bed, even after a night out.

In addition, floss at least once each day. Food particles stick between teeth, becoming a breeding ground for bacteria. Ensure you get everything out of those hard-to-reach places by flossing. Also, use mouthwash to help deal with the sugar-loving bacteria that chip away at your enamel.

Remember to get a new toothbrush every 3 to 4 months. In addition, it’s important to brush correctly and ensure you don’t leave any parts uncleaned. Use smooth back-to-front strokes, so you don’t cause abrasions on your gums.

Eat Healthily

Party food, snacks, and sweet treats are abundant over the silly season. However, it’s essential to eat in moderation and include healthy fruits and veggies in your diet. Do your guests a favour and include healthy food options if you’re hosting.

Fruits and vegetables help strengthen your teeth, plus they increase the overall health of your body, which can help prevent infections such as gum disease.

In addition, avoid constant snacking. It takes about 30 minutes for your saliva to neutralise the acids that build up in your mouth after you eat. So if you snack the whole day, your saliva won’t have enough time to get rid of the excess acids. This means your teeth are constantly under attack from bacteria, increasing the chances of tooth decay.

It’s also important to get some rest to maintain good health so your body can fight off dental infections and gum disease.

Enjoy Your Holidays

The summer season is a time for fun and merrymaking, catching up with friends and family, and having a good time. However, remember you don’t want to end up with cavities and sore teeth, which can ruin your smile the rest of the year. So follow these tips to care for your teeth while having some fun!

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