Dental health tips for the summer months

Looking after your dental health and overall wellbeing during the summer months requires attention to both oral hygiene and general health practices that are suited to the season’s challenges.

Here are out top tips to keep your oral health in check as well as your overall bodily and mental health during the summer months and beyond 🙂

Dental Health Tips

  1. Stay Hydrated:
    • Drink Plenty of Water: Summer heat can lead to dehydration, which reduces saliva production. Saliva is essential for neutralising acids and washing away food particles. Drink plenty of water to maintain saliva levels and prevent dry mouth.
  2. All In Moderation:
    • Limit Sugary and Acidic Drinks: While it’s tempting to enjoy cold sodas, fruit juices, and iced coffees, these beverages can be high in sugar and acid, which can erode tooth enamel and lead to cavities. Limited your intake of these if you can. Where possible opt for water or unsweetened beverages instead.
    • Eat Fresh Fruits and Vegetables: Pretty much a given for all year round, crunchy fruits and vegetables like apples, carrots, and celery can help clean your teeth naturally and stimulate saliva production not to mention all the oral health supporting vitamins and minerals contained in most fruit and veg, especially the leafy kind.
  3. Practice Good Oral Hygiene:
    • Brush and Floss Regularly: Brush at least twice a day and floss daily to remove plaque and food particles. If you need to add interdental brushes to stop your gums receeding please do, they’re wonderful little contraptions. Tongue scrape to rid your tongue of debris and avoid dry mouth. If you struggle with fluoride toothpaste or prefer to use toothpastes without fluoride, please do check out our Brightening Antioxidant Toothpaste.
    • Rinse After Swimming: Chlorine in pools can be harsh on your teeth, leading to enamel erosion over time. Rinse your mouth with clean water after swimming to remove chlorine residue.
  4. Protect Your Teeth:
    • Use a Mouthguard for Sports: If you participate in summer sports, wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from injury. I know this is a bit over the top but honestly it’ll help especially if you are used to participating in contact sport.s
    • Avoid Chewing on Ice: Chewing on ice cubes can crack or chip your teeth. If you enjoy cold treats, opt for softer alternatives like frozen yogurt or popsicles.
  5. Visit Your Dentist:
    • Schedule a Summer Check-up: A dental check-up before or during the summer can help catch any issues early. Your dentist can also provide advice tailored to your specific needs.
    • Visit Your Hygienist: If you are able, I’ve just been and if it was acceptable to cry when they told me it was £75 I would have. But my teeth feel amazing. A little spa for the dental health.

Overall Wellbeing Tips

  1. Stay Cool and Hydrated:
    • Drink Water Regularly: Aim for at least 8 glasses of water a day, more if you’re active. Carry a reusable water bottle to remind yourself to drink.
    • Eat Light and Refreshing Meals: Focus on hydrating foods like watermelon, cucumbers, and salads. Avoid heavy, greasy meals that can make you feel sluggish in the heat.
  2. Protect Your Skin:
    • Use Sunscreen: Apply broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside, and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
    • Use Hydrating Skincare: Our skin, even with sunscreen, will dry out quickly in the heat, even if we are not in direct sun. Use products like our Re Glow Booster at night to repair any skincare damage and protect against pigmentation and sun spots, during the day, underneath sunscreen, use our Soothing Berry Booster for environmental protection and for a skin quenching treat to avoid TEWL Trans epidermal water loss.
    • Wear Protective Clothing: Hats, sunglasses, and lightweight, long-sleeved shirts can protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
  3. Maintain Physical Activity:
    • Exercise Early or Late: Avoid outdoor physical activity during peak heat hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Exercise in the early morning or evening when it’s cooler.
    • Stay Active Indoors: On extremely hot days, consider indoor activities like yoga, swimming in an indoor pool, or going to the gym.
    • If you don’t have time for that faff: Keep active by walking, spending time with your kids (they run us all ragged right?) gardening or my personal favourite if you are able, and it’s a great cool down as well. Go for a dip in the sea!
  4. Get Enough Rest:
    • Create a Cool Sleep Environment: Use fans, air conditioning, or cooling bedding to maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
    • Stay Consistent: Try to maintain a regular sleep schedule even during the longer days of summer.
  5. Mental Wellbeing:
    • Take Time to Relax: Summer is a great time to recharge. Take breaks, enjoy outdoor activities, and practice mindfulness or meditation.
    • Socialise: Spend time with friends and family, whether it’s at a barbecue, beach outing, or casual get-together. Positive social interactions can boost your mood and mental health.

By following these tips, you can enjoy the summer months while maintaining your dental health and overall wellbeing.

But please remember, some of this will work for you and other bits won’t. These are just suggestions if they work for you or you have time.

There’s no way I get time to go to the gym or have any real break in the summer so even just a sit in the garden or going for a little walk can be enough or at least, something.

7-9 hours sleep a night, well, that would be a luxury indeed.

Jayne x

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