Summer is officially here! Along with the heat, this time of the year brings recreation, fun events, and an uptick and activities for your little one. No school and lots of outdoor playtime – this is probably your child’s favorite part of the calendar. However, did you know that some of the summer staple activities that your loved one enjoys could actually damage their smile? Read on to learn some easy yet helpful tips on how to protect your child’s smile while still taking advantage of the warmer months.
Be Prepared for Summer Activity
Whether your kid participates in traditional sports, or they just like running around on the playground, proper protection is important. Getting a custom-made mouthguard from your dentist will reduce their risk of dental injury and protect their smile. Even sports that aren’t known for their physicality like baseball or basketball can cause serious dental damage if you’re not careful.
Watch Out for Sports Drinks and Soda
It’s hot outside so it’s important to keep your little one hydrated and healthy. However, popular sports drinks contain incredibly high amounts of sugar, and they coat the teeth easily, making them a common cavity-causing culprit. Additionally, it can be easy to hand your child a soda on a hot summer day, but these drinks also increase chance of decay.
Instead, make sure your loved one drinks lots of water. H2O is already the best liquid to put in the body for hydration, but it also stimulates saliva flow to wash away pesky plaque and bacteria. Plus, most tap water contains fluoride, which is a natural cavity-fighting mineral!
Take Things Slow on Pool Day
The pool is surely one of your kid’s favorite places to go during this time of the year, but its slippery environment poses a threat to their smile. Encourage them to WALK and don’t run by the pool because this will lead to nasty slips or falls that result in broken, cracked, chipped, or lost teeth.
Additionally, remind your little one to pay attention to the pool depth (depicted with signs on the sides of the pool). It’s easy for children to dive headfirst with excitement, but this could lead to serious damage to their smile and face. As a rule of thumb, only allow your children to dive when there is a diving board, and you’ve personally checked out the depth of the pool.
Now that you know these simple steps for safe smiles, it’s time to have some fun in the sun without compromising your child’s oral health!
About the Practice
Dr. Susan Podray-Donovan and the rest of our team combine experience with the latest technology to offer a wide range of services for child patients in Cumming. Whether your little one needs routine pediatric dentistry, or even orthodontics, we are here to help. To request an appointment, we can be reached through our website or by phone at (678) 456-5572.