Everyone wants a bright, healthy smile, and keeping your teeth in good condition doesn’t have to be difficult. It’s all about knowing how to care for your teeth, and what common pitfalls to avoid. During the summer season, you’re probably spending plenty of days outdoors, hanging out with friends, and enjoying refreshing beverages. Some of those beverages can leave behind stains or create opportunities for cavities to form. There are a few small steps you can take to make sure that your smile stays as bright and energized as the summer weather.
Avoid Sugary Drinks that Lead to Cavities
While a glass of lemonade feels like the quintessential summer beverage, it’s also full of sugar and acid. Sugary drinks, and drinks that are high in acid, can be corrosive to your enamel. The sugar can stick to the surfaces of your teeth and create an easy food source for bacteria. You don’t have to avoid lemonade altogether, but try to monitor the amount of sugary drinks that you consume during this season. It’s also important to consistently brush and floss your teeth to disrupt the formation of plaque.
Iced Coffee Can Leave Behind Pigment on Your Teeth
Iced coffee and cold brew are two summer favorites for caffeine drinkers. These beverages are especially delicious during warm weather, but they can also have a negative effect on the appearance of your teeth. Iced coffee, just like hot coffee, can leave behind pigment that causes staining on your teeth. Over time, that pigment can result in the yellowing of your teeth, a result that no one wants. You can combat staining by brushing your teeth right after consuming these beverages. Pigment can aggregate over time, so getting it off of your teeth right away helps.
Stay Hydrated and Stay Safe This Summer
You’re probably already well aware of how important hydration is. Drinking enough water is good for your skin, your metabolism, and it reduces stress. It’s really a tip that you should stick to year-round, but in the summer it can be easy to forget. If you’re spending time outdoors, you’ll want to make sure that you drink plenty of water. The added benefit that comes with this tip pertains to your teeth. Drinking water and swishing it lightly after having other drinks like lemonade or coffee can actually help you remove some of the sugar and pigment from your teeth.
Keep Your Smile Looking Great with a Checkup this Summer
Have you made one of your biannual visits to the dentist yet this year? Now is the time to do so. Visit Stubbs Family Dentistry for a checkup and cleaning to keep your teeth looking and feeling great. You can schedule an appointment by contacting Stubbs Family Dentistry in West Allis, WI at 414-541-8250.
