Here in Florida, it’s always summer, which means there are plenty of warm weather activities you can do year-round that you wouldn’t be able to elsewhere. That makes it all the more important to protect yourself from their potential harm all 365 days. Here are three summertime staples that could be posing a risk to your oral health every day, and how you can keep your smile safe from dental danger!
Drinking from the Hose
Drinking from a garden hose was a lot of fun as a kid. Sure, you could have gone inside for a glass of tap water, but if you were like many kids of bygone eras, your parents may not have let you through the door until the sun set. Thus, grabbing a refreshing drink outside made perfect sense. Today, however, we know better, including that about 40 percent of standard rubber hoses are made with a dangerous chemical known as PVC, which contains lead. This can cause lead poisoning as well as promote tooth decay. Thus, if you’re concerned about preventing the dangerous side effects of PVC and don’t want to have to run back in the house for a glass of tap water, look for a PVC-free hose, and be sure to run the water until it gets cold to flush out any chemicals that may have been sitting in the hose since its last use.
Scuba Diving
Florida has no shortage of places for excellent scuba diving, but many participants don’t realize that it can be dangerous to their smile. Known as “divers mouth syndrome,” swimmers may experience jaw fatigue from clenching their jaw combined with the change in pressure as they dive. This can in turn cause jaw and tooth pain and can worsen TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) symptoms. If you are planning to explore the depths this year, be sure to visit your dentist beforehand and make sure you’re in good oral health and try to be aware of how hard you’re clenching your jaw when you dive.
Inflatable Water Toys
Whether you’re at a beach, pool, or a concert, tossing a beachball can be a lot of fun. Ditto for rafts, inflatable tubes, and children’s water wings. But be careful! Inflatables can be harmful to your oral health. For starters, it can be easy to become lightheaded from forcing out all that air. Worse yet, if you need a break and hand off that toy to your friend or family member, you could be sharing more than responsibilities: you could also be passing dangerous Streptococcus Mutans bacteria from mouth to mouth. These nasty creatures are responsible for tooth decay and can be transferred via saliva, essentially making cavities contagious! Thus, to keep your head feeling steady and protect your teeth from an influx of excess bacteria, splurge on an air pump for your inflatables and save your breath for more important things!
Remember, with so many fun outdoor activities available year-round here in Florida, summer never has to end. But don’t extend the risk to your smile. Follow these oral health safety tips and your mouth will stay healthy and strong all year long!
About Our Practice
At Palm Leaf Dental, Dr. Nami and Dr. Broe want to protect your smile all year long! Whether you’re heading off to explore the depths of the ocean, or just having a relaxing day by the pool, keeping your teeth and gums safe from unexpected danger is important no matter the season. Don’t let these dangerous activities put your mouth at risk. Schedule an appointment for your preventive exam and cleaning with us today by visiting our website or calling 904-373-1300.