Be good to your teeth this summer
I love the summer. With the heatwave, there’s nothing like enjoying an ice-cream in the day. Sipping sugary-cool cocktails in the evening (2-4-1 of course!)
Whilst the sun usually encourages all sorts of naughty behaviours, it looks like our teeth may bear the brunt of our excess sugars. I don’t know about you, but I think I know that I have been guilty of not brushing my teeth before bed after a cheeky cocktail or two!
Smilepod’s Hygienist, Samantha Ackerman, tells us that our teeth bear the brunt of our summer indulgences and we are extra susceptible to decay this time of year.
Lucky for us, she offers some top tips to get us through the summer months!
Top Tips on How to be good to your teeth
Drink from a straw: there’s no denying we enjoy a strawberry daiquiri or two in the summer, but if you drink from a straw, it limits the amount of time your teeth are in contact with sugar and citrus. Both of these elements can cause dental decay and cavities, giving an extra layer of protection.
Electric toothbrush: both manual and electric toothbrushes are effective if used correctly, but it is generally easier to do a good job and remove all of the plaque effectively from the teeth with an electric brush.
Brush twice a day: with fluoride toothpaste to remove any plaque, build-up, and excesses from the day.
Spit, don’t rinse: get the benefits out of your fluoride toothpaste. You should not rinse with water when you brush; instead, just spit out the excess and allow the rest to remain on the teeth.
Interdental cleaning means cleaning the areas your toothbrush cannot reach to remove plaque and impacted food between your teeth. Interdental brushes or floss should be part of your daily routine if you are not sure how – a Smilepod hygienist will be happy to show you.
Limit sugar: sugary food and drinks cause decay in the teeth and should be limited as much as possible.
Cut out tobacco: Tobacco use, whether smoking, chewing or sheesha, carries numerous health risks and greatly increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. A lot of the damage is completely reversible once you quit.
Attend check-ups and hygiene appointments regularly: Keep up with the recommended recalls to maintain excellent dental health and brush twice daily.
Smilepod has six London locations offering general dentistry, restorative dentistry, orthodontics, teeth whitening, rejuvenation and specialist services:
Bank – 18-20 Cullum Street, EC3M 7JJ
Canada Place – Canary Wharf, E14 5HX
Jubilee Place – Canary Wharf E14 5NY
Holborn – 16 Procter Street WC1V 6NX
Moorgate – 24 Chiswell Street, EC1Y 4TY
Soho – 56 Poland Street W1F 7NN
