Keep a Healthy Smile All Summer Long

With warmer weather and lessening social restrictions, more of us are finally getting out to spend time with friends or get a little traveling in. And just like Murphy’s law would imply, a lot of dental problems flare up in the summertime months when people are more active or going out of town.

As long as you plan ahead, you can reduce your chances of dental issues in the months (and years) ahead. Here are some summertime tips from our dentist in Pacific Beach:

Increase Your Water Intake

Every time you drink water, it naturally rinses your mouth. As a result, you’ll enjoy lower levels of bacteria, fresher breath, and neutralize acids that are responsible for causing tooth decay. But take note: not all water is created equal. The best water is straight out of the tap since it is monitored for specific levels of fluoride. Some bottled waters can actually have a slightly acidic pH, meaning they won’t offer as many benefits to your smile as municipal water sources do.

And speaking of water, make a point to rinse your mouth with water immediately after you eat. Since acids are active for about half an hour after meals, rinsing will help reduce enamel erosion between toothbrushing sessions.

Catch Up on Dental Cleanings

In Pacific Beach, a lot of people fell behind on dental checkups during the Pandemic. With a lapse in preventative care, minor issues had ample opportunity to flare up into bigger problems. Even if you haven’t felt anything going on yet, it’s best to go ahead and get back on schedule with your routine six-month cleanings. Dental cleanings in Pacific Beach include tartar removal (for healthier gums), polishing (to remove surface stains), oral cancer screenings, and more.

Since preventative care appointments help you get ahead of dental problems before they start, your checkup is a key component for having healthy teeth. If it’s been over six months since your last exam and cleaning, go ahead and get one booked.

Whiten Your Teeth

Tooth whitening in Pacific Beach will give you a great incentive to keep your smile healthy. When you whiten your smile, you’ll be more inclined to show it off. Plus, to keep your teeth white, you’ll want to maintain a good brushing and flossing routine. It’s a win-win. Our dentist in Pacific Beach offers teeth whitening near you, making the modest smile makeover easy to access.

Depending on your preferences, you can choose between a same-day in-office whitening treatment or a set of take-home trays. Both offer great results and are safe for lightening the natural color of your smile. You’ll want to do everything you can to help them stay white in the months ahead, giving you a great reason to brush and floss every day.

Always Clean In-between

When you wash your car, you don’t skip the doors on the side. But when you brush without flossing, that’s exactly what happens to your teeth. Right now is a great time to focus on cleaning in-between all of your teeth at least once a day. Especially since you’re out and about a bit more, socializing.

Cleaning between your teeth helps reduce your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and freshen your breath. You can use traditional floss if you prefer. Or you might want to go with something a bit more versatile such as a water flosser. Our dentist in Pacific Beach can vouch for the efficacy of water flossers, so it’s a great time to toss the floss if you really want to.