By the time your read this, summer will officially be just a few weeks away.

That means more daylight. That also means more time working and playing in the heat.

And heat can lead to different problems than you may experience at other times of the year. That’s why our team at Aberdeen Smiles is offering a few suggestions to keep you and your family smiling all summer.

Schedule A Dental Cleaning

Summer is a great time to schedule a professional dental cleaning and exam. You won’t need to pull your kids out of class, and it’s a good idea to have a dental check-up before your next family vacation.

Trust us when we say you would rather find and fix a cavity before you arrive at your destination. A toothache can spoil the trip for everyone, especially the person who has it.

Family dentistry is an important part of our practice. If you live in or near Aberdeen, SD, call 605-277-9049 or contact us online to schedule appointments for everyone in your family before your big trip.

Test The Waters

We don’t just mean to dip your toe in the pool before you jump in. We encourage you to get some test strips to measure the pH balance of the water. These strips can be found in many stores and online retailers.

Chlorine is used as a disinfectant in many pools — at hotels, at water parks, and at private residences. Chlorine also affects the pH level of the water. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the pH should be between 7.2 and 7.8.

When the pH is 7 or lower, the water has the potential to weaken the enamel of your teeth. This could increase your risk of tooth decay and tooth infections. If you have a pool at home, be sure to test it regularly.

Watch The Clock

Even if the pH levels are in the recommended range, it’s still important to keep track of how much time you spend in the water.

One of the risks of long-term exposure to chemically-treated water is swimmer’s calculus. This can cause teeth to look yellow or brown. Research has shown that people who spend six hours or more in a chemically-treated water have a higher risk of this condition.

We agree that a dip in the pool is a great way to cool off. Just try to keep up with how long you’ve been in the water.

Drink Water

We also encourage you to make sure you drink plenty of water, especially when you are working and playing outdoors. We all know how hot it can get. It’s easy to work up a sweat in the South Dakota summer.

And that can lead to dehydration. Two early signs of dehydration are thirst and dry mouth. These are ways that our bodies let us know that we need more water before the consequences of dehydration get much worse.

Water is important for our overall health, but it’s important for your oral health, too. Dry mouth increases your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.

Stay Guarded

We love our sports in South Dakota. If you have any young athletes or weekend warriors in your family, we hope they are wearing athletic mouthguards when they are playing and practicing.

We can create a custom-fitted mouthguard for anyone in your family here at Aberdeen Smiles.

Sports are a year-round affair for many people, and in the summer, people are likely to be playing baseball, basketball, soccer, softball, volleyball, or football. All of these are considered high-impact sports. The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) both recommend mouthguards for all high-impact activities.

A flying object, a collision with another player, or a fall are just a few examples of how you could injure your teeth during these sports. An athletic mouthguard could be the difference between a sore lip and a broken tooth.

It’s also worth pointing out a few findings reported by the AAPD. For kids age 7 to12, baseball cause more dental injuries than any other sport. For athletes 13 to 17 years old, basketball is the leading cause of oral injuries.

Even if a mouthguard isn’t required, it’s still a good idea to wear one during most sports.

Stop In To See Us

We hope that you will visit our dentist office this summer if you live in or near Aberdeen, SD. We would be happy to clean your teeth, make a mouthguard for you, and hear about your summer vacation.

Call 605-277-9049 or use our online form to request your appointment today.

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