Summertime Food, Beverages & Your Smile...

While on vacation, oral hygiene may not be on top of your mind as applying sunscreen or packing your favorite swimwear. You should never take break from taking care of your teeth. Just remember bacteria, plaque, and gum diseases don’t halt their relentless attack against your teeth and gums while you’re on vacation. In fact, traveling, increases food and drink consumption, and making the most of the various tourist attractions along the way can all-to-easily disrupt a regular oral health routine.

Top 5 Tips for keeping your Summer Smile Healthy:

• Pack an extra toothbursh, toothpaste & floss in your travel bag, so that you can keep your smile healthy while on the go.
• Drink plenty of water. Keeping yourself hydrated staves off tooth decay besides protecting your skin and gum tissues. 
• Try to stay away from drinks that will stain your teeth like coffee, soft drinks, or dark colored juices. Not only will drinks like this weaken your enamel but they will also darken that your fabulous smile. 
• A good tip for keeping your mouth safe from staining and other possible pitfalls is to rinse your mouth with water after any meal in which you can’t fully brush your teeth after.

Stick to your routine! It is so easy to stay up late and make excuses for not brushing your teeth before bed while on vacation! During a vacation, you are more prone to cavities due to the excess sugar consumed. Plaque doesn’t take vacation, and neither should your brushing!

Dan Gustavson, DDS & Your Auburn Dental Aesthetics Team