The 4th of July holiday is around the corner, which means the grills are heating up and food will be plentiful.
By this point, you have probably hosted or attended a few barbecues, but it’s never too late to think of ways to protect your smile during the summer of food, drinks, and festivities. After all, a healthy smile is important for your social and love life, and there will be plenty of parties this season!
Before you light up your next grill, take these steps to protect your oral health.
- Schedule a fluoride treatment soon
With all the BBQ sauce and sugary drinks you’ve been consuming, it would help to get a professional-quality tooth cleaning and fluoride treatment to prevent tooth decay. This treatment is generally recommended for children, people who consume water primarily from bottles, adults who consume a lot of sugar or carbohydrates (there’s a lot of us!), or just about anyone who’s concerned about the health of their teeth and gums.After your fluoride treatment, you can add an extra layer of protection and get a sealant to fight off future oral maladies. - Brush up on your dental cleaning routine
We all need a reminder and refresher sometimes when it comes to routine tasks. Even if you do brush your teeth every day, it’s important to check in with yourself and ensure that you’re doing all the things dentists recommend for at-home care, like brushing for two minutes, flossing, and more. Check our article on home dental care for more information. - Seek healthier alternatives for your BBQ menu
When you’re picking up foods for your next barbecue, opt for low-sugar options to protect your teeth. Sugar can wreak havoc on your oral hygiene, so it’s important to moderate your consumption of it. Remember that sugar is hidden in a lot of over-the-counter items, like BBQ sauce.
There are many other ways you can protect your teeth this summer, so schedule a visit with your dentist and dental hygienist soon so that they can provide you with the help you need. A healthy smile means a healthy you, so that you can enjoy many more summers and 4th of July barbecues!
Let Dr. Coates and his dental team in Long Beach help get you the smile you want. Schedule an appointment with us online, or call us at 562-434-6414.
Take our free Smile Analysis here.
