Summer gets a lot of things right—longer days, warmer weather, and plenty of excuses to be outside. But is all that sunshine actually doing your smile any favors? The answer is a bit of a mixed bag. Summer has some genuine upsides for your oral health, but it also comes with a few seasonal pitfalls worth knowing about. Keep reading to learn what to watch out for and how to take care of your smile all Summer long.
The Sunny Side: Vitamin D and Your Teeth
One real benefit of spending time outdoors in summer is increased sun exposure, which helps your body produce vitamin D. This important mineral affects how your body absorbs calcium, which keeps your enamel strong. Without enough of it, teeth can become more susceptible to decay, and your gums may be more prone to inflammation. So, a little time in the sun can be great for your oral health. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!
The Flip Side: Summer Habits That Hurt Your Smile
Where summer tends to cause trouble is in the habits that come with it. A few of the biggest offenders:
Sugary Drinks
Lemonade, sweet tea, sports drinks, and soda tend to flow freely in the summer heat. And while delicious, all of them are loaded with sugar and acid—a combination that’s particularly hard on tooth enamel. Even drinks marketed as healthy, like fruit juice or flavored water, can be surprisingly acidic. So, when you’re reaching for something cold, plain water is still the best option for your pearly whites.
Dehydration
Heat and high activity lead to dehydration quickly, and a dry mouth is a real problem for your oral health. Saliva is your mouth’s natural defense system. It neutralizes acids, washes away food particles, and helps prevent decay. When you’re not drinking enough water, that protection dries up as well. Staying hydrated is one of the simplest things you can do for your smile this summer.
Chlorine Exposure
Pool water is treated with chlorine, which can affect the pH balance in your mouth. While it isn’t something everyone should worry about, people who spend a lot of time in the pool sometimes experience enamel erosion or tooth sensitivity. The best way to prevent this is rinsing your mouth with fresh water after swimming.
Summer is worth enjoying fully. A little awareness about what affects your teeth goes a long way toward making sure your smile comes out of the season just as strong as it went in. If it’s been a while since your last checkup, summer is a great time to get back on track.
About the Author
Dr. Andrew Tadros is a passionate dentist with a doctorate from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco. Since 2016, he has helped countless patients get their smiles ready for summer fun—and he wouldn’t have it any other way. Today, he takes pride in serving the community with affordable preventive and family dental care. Call (469) 917-7444 to schedule your consultation at Del Rey Dental or use our convenient online tool to request a visit online.