From graduations and weddings to day trips and vacations, summer is full of opportunities to show off your award-winning smile. Here are four tips to help you keep your smile healthy and shining bright all summer long.
1. Carry a toothbrush & toothpaste with you in your bag.
Summers get busy with all the traveling, late nights with friends, group sports, and other fun activities. And with the hot desert sun, those busy summer days can quickly become exhausting. But don’t let yourself go to bed without brushing your teeth! Plaque can harden into tartar in just 24 hours, so skipping even one day can significantly increase your risk of cavities and gum disease.
2. Stick to sugar-free hydration.
An ice-cold soda may feel refreshing on a hot summer day, but the combination of sugar and citric acid is really bad for your teeth. Water is always your best option for cooling down and staying hydrated. However, other tooth-friendly options include unsweetened iced herbal tea and coconut water.
You don’t have to give up sugary drinks like juice and soda completely, just don’t make them a habit. The same goes for sugary summer snacks like ice cream, popsicles, and s’mores. Look for sugar-free options or drink a glass of water afterward to wash the sugar out of your mouth.
3. Don’t chew on ice!
It can be tempting to crunch some of that ice in your drink to cool down, but you should leave it in your glass. Ice is extremely hard, and biting down on ice can scratch your tooth enamel, crack your teeth, or dislodge a crown. Chewing ice also strains your jaw muscles, which can cause jaw pain and TMJ disorders.
4. Wear a Mouthguard for Extreme Sports
Whether you’re playing baseball or riding your bike down a mountain trail, wearing a mouthguard is crucial. It’s all too easy to chip, crack, or knock out a tooth. Even if you don’t notice any damage after a mouth injury, you should still come in for an exam so we can check for fractures or other hidden problems.
Make an Appointment Today!
If you or your kids are due for a dental checkup, consider this a reminder to make an appointment. It’s also a great time to book a whitening appointment for a bright summer smile. Give us a call and we’ll get your appointments scheduled right away.
Photo by Kampus Production on Pexels used with permission under the Creative Commons license for commercial use 5/10/2026.
