Many people associate winter with poor diet choices, which have a knock-on effect on their teeth, with Halloween’s sweets, Bonfire Night’s chewy treacle toffee, and Christmas’s abundance of alcohol and cakes.
However, they might not realise that summer can also be bad for oral health, which is why it is essential to stock up on dental products like Enlighten toothpaste to keep patients’ smiles looking bright and white.
Dry mouth
Firstly, the increase in temperature means mouths are likely to become drier. Without increasing water intake, there will be a reduction in salvia production.
As salvia is used to neutralise acid in the mouth and rinse away food debris, this increases the risk of tooth decay.
To avoid this, the NHS advises drinking lots of hydrating drinks like water, chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate salvia production, and sipping on unsweetened drinks regularly, avoiding beverages like alcohol and caffeine.
Sugary drinks and treats
The winter occasions are more synonymous with cakes and sweets, but summer is known for its sugary drinks and sweet ice lollies.
Whether dental patients enjoy a fruit cocktail on holiday, fizzy drinks to cool down, refreshing ice-cream or diluted squash, these all contain sugar that increases the risk of tooth decay.
The best way to avoid this is to choose sugar-free alternatives, stick to water instead, or at least rinse the mouth with water after enjoying a sugary drink or treat.
Cold foods
Unsurprisingly, people are more likely to consume cold foods during the summer months as a way to cool themselves down. However, for anyone with enamel erosion, this can lead to sharp pain in their teeth.
Avoiding foods like ice-cream, ice lollies or cold drinks is sensible, as well as using a sensitive toothpaste. It is also advisable to minimise consumption of acidic foods and beverages, and brush teeth gently to reduce wearing down the enamel.
Drinking acidic drinks through a straw also helps to reduce exposure of the acid on the teeth.