{"id":265,"date":"2021-06-15T14:06:00","date_gmt":"2021-06-15T14:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/?p=265"},"modified":"2021-07-26T14:09:30","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T14:09:30","slug":"five-summer-oral-health-tips","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/five-summer-oral-health-tips\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Summer Tips for a Healthy Smile"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_116393103__1627308399_42840.jpg\" alt=\"girl smiling looking towards the sun\" class=\"wp-image-266\" width=\"290\" height=\"193\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_116393103__1627308399_42840.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_116393103__1627308399_42840-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/AdobeStock_116393103__1627308399_42840-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 290px) 100vw, 290px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Summer has officially arrived! It\u2019s the perfect time to go on a relaxing vacation and take a break from daily routines. While most people deem the warmer months as a chance to put their responsibilities on the back burner, there is one thing you should never forget \u2013 your oral health. Neglecting your teeth can be dangerous and have lasting, permanent effects. Read on for five summer oral health tips to keep your smile safe this season. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stay Hydrated<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Everyone knows to drink plenty of water during the hot summer months. Not only does it quench your thirst, but it can also improve your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/preventive-dentistry.html\">oral health<\/a>. Drinking water keeps your mouth hydrated, preventing bacteria growth that can lead to tooth decay and gum disease. Plus, it rids your mouth of plaque-causing bacteria and sugars that cause bad breath, leaving your mouth feeling clean&nbsp;<em>and<\/em>&nbsp;fresh!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Establish a Routine<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Now that school\u2019s out and everyone\u2019s shifting into summer, it\u2019s easy for all the excitement to keep families from having a consistent schedule. But it\u2019s important to continue brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day, no matter how hectic your schedule becomes. These habits are critical to prevent dental problems like decay, cavities, and gum disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Avoid Chewing Ice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For some people, there\u2019s nothing better than eating leftover ice after a cool drinking. And whether it\u2019s done out of habit or simply because it\u2019s satisfying, chewing ice can have dangerous effects on your oral health. It can cause a cracked or chipped tooth, enamel erosion, sensitivity, and may even lead to tooth decay. If you must satisfy the craving, try eating finely shaven, semi-melted pieces of ice instead (i.e., snow cone or slushie) to minimize damage to your teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Choose Healthy Snacks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The warmer months leave more time for snacking, especially on long road trips and flights when there\u2019s nothing much to do. Limit your consumption of sugary treats and stock up on nutritious foods that are easy to grab while on the go. Fresh fruits and vegetables are healthy options that will leave your mouth and belly happy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Wear an Athletic Mouthguard<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most people plan on spending the season outdoors, soaking up the warm weather and partaking in several recreational activities. Unfortunately, playing your favorite summer sports increases your risk of dental injuries, such as chipped or cracked teeth, fractured roots, and cut lips. Prevent these accidents by wearing an athletic mouthguard to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As you can see, you can enjoy the sunny season to its fullest without putting your smile at risk. Follow these oral health tips to ensure nothing derails your summer plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>About the Author<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/meet-dr-schaffeld.html\">Dr. Tyler Schaffeld<\/a> looks forward to working with his team every day to build strong, caring relationships with each patient. He earned his DMD from Oregon Health and Science University in 2013 and graduated second in his class. Dr. Schaffeld can ensure your smile is in its best shape for summer with routine checkups and cleanings. For more information on how to keep your teeth safe this season, visit our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/new-patients.html\">website<\/a> or call <strong>(541) 263-5435.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Summer has officially arrived! It\u2019s the perfect time to go on a relaxing vacation and take a break from daily routines. While most people deem the warmer months as a chance to put their responsibilities on the back burner, there is one thing you should never forget \u2013 your oral health. Neglecting your teeth can [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-265","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=265"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":268,"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/265\/revisions\/268"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=265"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=265"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.schaffelddental.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=265"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}