Summer is a season that brings smiles to our faces just by mentioning it!

However, while enjoying the vacation with sun and sea, we must not forget about the health and appearance of our smile. Maintaining a healthy and white smile during summer requires a bit more attention to our oral care routines and habits.

In this week’s blog from Dental Center 4Smile, join us on a virtual vacation and discover tips that will help keep your smile healthy and radiant, and your vacation free from dental traumas!

How many more days until the start of vacation?
While counting down the last working days before your vacation and planning what to buy to ensure a perfect holiday, don’t forget about your health!
Before you go on vacation, we recommend:

A PREVENTIVE VISIT TO THE DENTIST

We hope you already have a habit of visiting your dentist regularly, at least once a year.

However, if you haven’t visited your dentist for a long time, we recommend doing so before your planned trip.
This way, you can avoid potential toothaches during your vacation far from home, where you often don’t have access to your trusted dentist.

Even if you currently don’t have any dental issues, a treatment for calculus removal and sandblasting will help prevent excessive plaque buildup and gum inflammation – gingivitis.

Additionally, if you want a bright smile on the beach, a professional teeth whitening treatment will ensure a few shades whiter smile with a lasting effect of 2-3 years.

This means that if you maintain your white smile, it can remain radiant for several more summers!

The vacation has finally arrived; it’s time to pack!
Pack all your clothes and shoes, an inflatable ball… and don’t forget:

BRING YOUR TOOTHBRUSH IN HYGIENIC CONDITIONS

Even during travel, it’s important to keep your toothbrush in hygienic conditions.

If you haven’t purchased a special travel set for oral hygiene, be sure to put your toothbrush in a suitable case while packing.

We do not recommend storing your toothbrush in a plastic bag with a zipper, as this storage method fosters bacterial growth!
You have arrived at your summer vacation destination!
While unpacking your things, don’t forget to find a hygienic place for your toothbrush.

KEEP YOUR TOOTHBRUSH IN HYGIENIC CONDITIONS

When you settle in, although you might not have as many options for storing your toothbrush in a hotel or apartment as you would at home, try to avoid placing toothbrushes:

– Near the toilet (especially if the toothbrush holder is open) because of toilet plumes

– In small bathroom cabinets due to lack of airflow, which fosters bacterial growth

You can finally relax. Your only obligation during your vacation is to enjoy yourself!
However, make sure your teeth enjoy it too with:

CONSISTENT ORAL HYGIENE MAINTENANCE

Maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine is key to a healthy smile, and includes:

– Using a water flosser (waterpik), dental floss, or interdental brushes

– Brushing your teeth twice a day for 2 minutes (morning and evening)

– Using a toothbrush with soft bristles

– Cleaning your tongue

It’s time for the beach!
One of the most important things you should take to the beach is plenty of water!

STAY HYDRATED

During summer, it’s easy to become dehydrated, and maintaining hydration is crucial not only for your overall health but also for your oral health.

Well-hydrated mouth produces enough saliva, which plays a key role in neutralizing acids and preventing cavities.

So don’t forget to drink plenty of water throughout the day!
We also recommend rinsing your mouth with water after consuming colored drinks (coffee, wine, cocktails with artificial coloring) to prevent stains on your teeth and keep your smile white.

What else do you need to bring to the beach? Something to eat?
Consider healthy food options for the beach:

CHOOSE HEALTHY SNACKS

If you opt for nuts and raw vegetables instead of sweets and sugary snacks, your teeth will thank you.
This food not only provides essential nutrients but also stimulates saliva production, helping neutralize acids and promoting oral health.
In contrast, sweet foods feed mouth bacteria, leading to cavities, and acidic foods erode enamel.

*An added advantage of choosing sugar-free food is that it won’t attract annoying wasps!

You are on your way to the beach.
How many minutes walk do you have to the beach in the sun?

HOW DOES THE SUN BENEFIT THE ORAL HEALTH?

Instead of dreading the sunny walk to the beach, use the sun for your smile’s health!

When you spend time in the sun, your body absorbs vitamin D, which helps balance phosphate and calcium levels in the body. Calcium is a mineral known for keeping your teeth strong and healthy.

However, don’t forget to protect your skin and lips from harmful UV radiation.
To keep your smile beautiful inside and out, use lip balm with SPF!

You’ve sunbathed and settled on the beach…it’s time to swim!

HOW DOES THE SEA BENEFIT THE ORAL HEALTH?

It’s well-known that the sea is healing for the entire body, but did you know it also benefits your smile’s health?
Here’s how the sea helps oral health:

  1. SALTWATER REDUCES ALLERGIES AND COLDS

Allergies and colds often cause mouth breathing, which impacts smile health in the form of dry mouth, crowded teeth, snoring, chronic bad breath, and more frequent tooth decay. Sinus pressure can even cause toothaches!

Saltwater helps rinse sinuses of harmful allergens and reduce cold symptoms that affect oral health.

Salt’s alkalinity helps reduce bacterial growth at the back of the tongue, which can cause bad breath.

Additionally, saltwater reduces bacteria in your tonsil pockets, lowering the likelihood of tonsil stones!

  1. SALTWATER SOOTHES SWOLLEN GUMS

Salt helps draw excess water from tissues, reducing discomfort from gum inflammation – gingivitis.

  1. SALTWATER AIDS IN HEALING WOUNDS

You’ve had a tooth extraction that hasn’t fully healed or simply bit your cheek?

Rinsing with saltwater can help gums heal faster. It also soothes, neutralizes microbes, and can help reduce irritation associated with the injury.

  1. SALTWATER REDUCES PLAQUE FORMATION AND NEUTRALIZES ACIDS

Saltwater reduces bacterial spread and destroys present acids.
How exactly does saltwater work? – Saltwater has a high (basic) pH, which controls acids in your mouth.

If you chose swimming in a chlorinated pool instead of the sea, your smile will need extra care:

BRUSH YOUR TEETH AFTER SWIMMING IN CHLORINATED WATER

Chlorinated water contains antimicrobial agents with a higher pH than your saliva.
When chlorinated water enters your mouth, it causes rapid protein breakdown in saliva, leaving colored deposits on plaque and tartar on your teeth.
To protect your teeth from the gradually harmful effects of chlorinated water, brush your teeth after swimming in a chlorinated pool!

Enough swimming, time for some recreation!
If you participate in contact sports or activities with a risk of injury:

WEAR A SPORTS MOUTHGUARD FOR YOUR TEETH

No matter how careful and experienced you are, accidents can’t be predicted.
Wearing a mouthguard is crucial to protect your teeth and gums from blows and trauma, applicable to both sea and beach sports.
Ensure a worry-free vacation spent on the beach, not in the emergency room with a broken tooth!

After swimming and recreation, you must be hungry.
If you asked your teeth what they would choose, they would tell you this:

SUMMER FOODS FOR A HEALTHY SMILE

List of foods that your teeth love:

– Fish and seafood – contains vitamin D

– Peaches – vitamin C and fluoride

– Strawberries – vitamin C, collagen, fluoride, and calcium

– Watermelon – vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, fiber, has the highest water content in fruit and the lowest sugar content

– Cantaloupe – beta-carotene, vitamin C, folate, water, and fiber

– Coconut – reduces oral bacteria, replenishes electrolytes, minerals

After dinner, it’s lovely to take a walk along the beach!

If you fancy a cold cocktail after dinner and have sensitive teeth, we recommend using a straw. A straw will minimize contact between your teeth and extreme temperatures.

You went back to your room and got ready for bed.

After you brush your teeth, get a good night’s rest, as another beautiful day awaits you on vacation!
We hope our tips have helped you secure a beautiful white smile that will adorn your vacation memories and photos, making them even more unforgettable.

However, remember that proper dental care isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s a link to the health of the entire body.
So, greet the sun, share your radiant smile with the world, and enjoy your vacation!