It comes as no surprise I’m sure that when the weather heats up this also effects our dental health but how exactly?
Whilst hot weather does not effect your teeth in the same way as cold weather does, if we are not properly hydrated, our dental health is impacted with lower saliva production, making our mouth dry.
Saliva has such an pivotal role in ensuring that our oral microbiome performs at tip top levels. If we are even slightly under hydrated our saliva production slows down leaving us open to dental infections and tooth decay. Saliva is our natural defence that helps prevent plaque, bacteria build up, bad breath, tooth decay and gum disease. Pretty amazing right?
Even more amazing is that saliva helps remineralise and repair weak tooth enamel.
By making sure you do not dehydrate you look after your mind body and soul.
Here are our top tips on staying hydrated in the hot weather;
1. Don’t wait until you feel thirsty as dehydration can sneak up on you, sip water continually if you can.
2. Avoid fizzy drinks they contain high amounts of sugar that will weaken enamel and leave you open to cavities.
3. Even diet fizzy drinks have issues, they still contain acids that will weaken teeth.
4. If you can’t go without perhaps try squeezing a bit of lemon or lime into your water, adding ice or even fruit. I’m partial to a bit of a cucumber water myself 🙂
5. If you are consuming sugary drinks make sure you’re still topping up with water and rinsing your mouth out and washing away the harmful stuff.
6. The best way to stay hydrated is to drink water. Cool lovely water.
7. Make sure you’re wearing sunscreen if you’re outside and definitely on your face whether you are inside or out.
8. Cover up with a hat and stay out of the sun at it’s hottest times, between 12 and 3 really. More if possible.
9. Take care of your entire health, water is the best way to stay hydrated. I know I’ve said it already but I cannot reiterate this enough.
10. Make sure you look after children and elderly relatives and friends when it’s hot. They can be more susceptible to overheating which is not only uncomfortable or painful, it’s super dangerous.
Look after yourselves and make sure you take time to enjoy picnics, garden chills and lovely lovely walks and swims where you can.
It’s so conflicting, the warmer weather. Climate crisis is happening all around us but so is the joy of lovely walks in the sun, swims in the sea, garden catch ups and long lovely warm nights.
So, if you’re like me, enjoy the weather, bring yourself joy but also do what you can to decrease your impact on the earth and hold the powers that be accountable for their nonsense 🙂
Have a fabulous weekend team x
Jayne x
