The mercury's rising, and so are the threats to your smile! With summers getting hotter each year, keeping your cool and your oral health in check becomes even more important. With dehydration, sugary treats, pool parties, outdoor adventures, and vacations summer can be a hidden threat to your oral health.
Dehydration occurs when the body loses more fluids than an individual takes causing a deficiency in water and essential salts vital for proper bodily functions. Prolonged exposure to outdoor heat during summer significantly heightens the risk of dehydration, diminished salivary flow and leads to dry mouth.
Saliva is the key agent that washes away food debris and bacteria from your teeth and gums and neutralizes bacterial acids. It also contains minerals like calcium, phosphate and fluoride which are known for strengthening your teeth. Dry mouth increases the likelihood of developing mouth sores, infections and bad breath.
Dr. Vineesha V, BDS, General Dentist, Quintessence Family Dentistry, Bangalore
Lips are vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays as the mucosa is thinner and has very little protective melanin. The lower lip is particularly fragile as it has a higher level of sun exposure compared to the upper lip. Symptoms of sunburned lips include increased sensitivity, dryness, redness, swelling, tenderness, blistering, and scabbing. Repeated sunburns can cause discoloration, damage the lip mucosa, and increase the risk of developing cancer. As the lips heal, dead skin cells will shed and peel off.
When your lips are exposed to the sun without proper protection, they are at risk of sun damage. They may become dry and painful over time, which might interfere with your oral hygiene practices. It is important to keep your lips moisturized by opting for a good quality SPF lip balm. Drinking plenty of water can also reduce the lip dryness around the mouth.
Dr. Vineesha V, BDS, General Dentist, Quintessence Family Dentistry, Bangalore
Swimming
Public swimming pools use chlorine to keep the water clean by killing bacteria and algae. Chlorine can be added in different forms, like sodium hypochlorite, which has a high pH and has low erosion potential. When chlorine gas is used, it mixes with water to make germ-killing hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid. Then soda ash is added to adjust the pH of the water to around 7.5. If it is not added enough, the pH can drop to levels that erode teeth fast. Even if the pH of pool water is neutral, dental hydroxyapatite, essential for tooth strength, can dissolve due to low concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions in water.
Dental erosion, calculus formation, and teeth staining observed in both competitive and recreational swimmers can be attributed to swimming pool chlorination. This phenomenon is commonly referred to as "swimmer's mouth." Lesions of dental erosion are found on the labial and palatal surfaces of anterior teeth with no signs of hypersensitivity. Swimmers who regularly submerge to the pool's deepest end to practice breathing techniques and underwater divers with pre-existing oral conditions like acute or chronic periapical infection, dental caries, failing restorations are susceptible to barodontalgia. This condition manifests as dental pain when the teeth are subjected to pressure changes.
Contact and non-contact sports
Collision and contact sports, such as boxing, football, basketball, etc. and limited-contact or non-contact high-velocity sports activities, such as gymnastics, skating, bicycling, etc. contribute significantly to orofacial injuries. Among these injuries, approximately half involve traumatic dental injuries. The maxillary incisors are the most commonly affected teeth, accounting for about 80% of all cases.
Dental injuries include crown and/or root fractures, which may or may not involve the pulp, concussion, subluxation, luxation and avulsion. Injuries to soft tissues like lacerations and abrasions and jaw bone fractures also occur. Dentofacial trauma can result in serious consequences that require tooth extraction, pulp therapy, bone fracture management and use of prosthetic replacements. These injuries cause significant pain, emotional distress, and considerable financial burdens on individuals.
As summer arrives, it brings along sugary delights like ice cream, frozen desserts, alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, citrus fruit juices, carbonated drinks (soda), sports drinks, sticky snacks (caramel popcorn, gummy candies, and dried fruits). Additionally, frequent snacking of unhealthy food high in energy, sugar, and salt and low in nutrients such as chips, cookies, and candies throughout the day or in between meals contributes to dental plaque (yellowish white sticky layer that constantly forms on teeth) accumulation and tooth decay.
It is common to reach for sodas and sports drinks because they are refreshing in the summer. However, these drinks contain sugar and are also acidic which promotes tooth decay. Frequent consumption may even lead to staining of teeth. Similarly certain fruit juices loaded with citric acid and sugars can also damage the tooth enamel. Ice cream, popsicles and other sweet treats are also sugar laden and should be avoided or consumed in moderation to maintain healthy teeth. It is advisable to rinse your mouth with water after consuming specific foods or beverages to get rid of the sugar and stains on tooth enamel.
Dr. Vineesha V, BDS, General Dentist, Quintessence Family Dentistry, Bangalore
During vacations, individuals may deviate from their regular oral hygiene routines due to changes in schedule and travel, leading to inadequate brushing and flossing. This disruption can increase the risk of plaque buildup and dental problems. People tend to frequently snack on sugary foods and acidic drinks during long rides, or outdoor activities. Traveling may limit access to dental care, especially in remote or unfamiliar locations. Delaying routine dental check-ups or ignoring dental issues until returning home can worsen oral health problems.
Many tooth-related problems like cavities, tooth discoloration, tooth sensitivity are common complaints especially during summers when people often indulge in cold, sweet treats, carbonated drinks which have the dangerous combination of sugar and acids in them. Moreover, since it’s the vacation season, many people let their oral hygiene routines slide, potentially exacerbating dental issues. Incidents of fracture or chipping of teeth is common among children engaging in outdoor games and activities. This may weaken the tooth structure and sometimes affect the vitality of teeth, depending on the severity of injury.
Dr. Vineesha V, BDS, General Dentist, Quintessence Family Dentistry, Bangalore
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep the mouth moist and rinse away food particles.
Limit sugary and acidic Foods: Reduce consumption of sugary snacks, and acidic beverages. Choose healthier snacks like fruits, vegetables, and nuts.
Maintain good oral hygiene: Follow brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing once a day. When traveling, put together an oral hygiene travel kit with a travel-sized toothbrush, toothpaste, floss and mouthwash to maintain your oral hygiene routine.
Take sports' precautions: In case of participating in outdoor activities or sports, wear a mouthguard, face shield/helmet to protect the teeth and face from injuries. While swimming, reduce exposure of teeth to pool water by minimizing mouth opening during breathing. Brushing the teeth immediately after swimming is not recommended. Instead, mouth can be rinsed with water or fluoride mouth rinse.
Avoid chewing ice: Chewing on ice to cool down can chip or crack your teeth. While drinking cold beverages don't chew on ice cubes.
Protect your lips: Apply lip balm with SPF protection and use hats that cover the face to prevent sunburn on the lips.
Schedule dental check-ups: Preferably at the beginning of summer vacation, schedule a dental check-up to address any potential issues and ensure your oral health is in good condition.
While the summer season brings joy and excitement, it also presents unique challenges for oral health. Increased consumption of sugary foods and drinks, frequent snacking, increased outdoor activities and exposure to pool water can all contribute to dental issues like tooth decay, erosion, plaque and tooth staining. A proactive approach to oral health ensures that the summer season remains a time for relaxation and fun, without compromising on dental well-being.
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By Dr. Nirainila Joseph
SB
