July is in full swing, and the weather has been amazing so far. Everyone is out soaking up the sun, letting the heat warm their souls, and enjoying time spent with friends and family.
With the hot weather comes our desire for ice-cold treats like lemonade, popsicles, and of course, ice cream. Clearly, ice cream and July go hand in hand, as July is actually observed as ice cream month around the world (so far as we can tell). In 1984, United States President Ronald Reagan actually formally designated July as “ice cream month” and the third Sunday of July as “ice cream day.” All of this is to say that if you have been looking for a reason to partake in some sweet, cold goodness: this is the excuse you’ve been searching for.
We’d never tell you or your family not to go running when you hear the sweet sounds of the ice cream truck coming down the road. However, as your trusted family dental team, we do still always have your oral health’s best interests in mind. Today, we’ll offer you a few quick tips to make your ice cream-enjoying experience a little less hard on your teeth.
Something simple you can do to help protect your pearly whites that many people might not know about is to rinse your mouth out with water after you’re finished your ice cream treat. While this is no substitute for brushing, it serves as a way to get the excess sugary residue off of your teeth until the next time you’re able to brush them. While you’re out and about enjoying those summer rays, it’s certainly much easier to find some water than it is to find a place to brush your teeth. So why not take this simple step to protect your beautiful smile!
It is very often when we are on vacation that we decide to treat ourselves to that little bit extra. It’s also when we’re on vacation that we might be a little less inclined to follow our normal habits from back home. So, when you’re vacationing and enjoying a sweet cold treat while you’re out for the day, make a mental note — or even a note in your phone — to brush your teeth when you get back to wherever you’re staying for the night. After all, after a long day of fun in the sun it can be all too tempting to fall asleep right away when you get back to the comfort of your bed, tent, cabin or RV. Remembering to brush before you fall asleep ensures that the sugary remains of the treat you enjoyed don’t stay on your teeth all night and cause unnecessary wear, tear and plaque/bacteria build up.
While ice cream is refreshing and delicious, it could also be the reminder you need to book a visit with us. If you’re eating some ice cream and notice your teeth really start to hurt, it could be a sign there’s a problem. Nerves in your teeth could be exposed due to receding gums, gum disease, or worn-out tooth enamel. If you and ice cream’s relationship has gone bad, we’re here to help get your mouth back in business because let’s face it, sometimes no amount of “sensitive” toothpaste is going to help if there’s a real issue with your roots!
The dental team at Brinkley Dental in Brampton wants to remind you to enjoy some ice cream in moderation this summer, brush your teeth afterwards, and as always: “Don’t forget to be a BFF with your mouth and brush that smile!”
