With summer in full swing and temperatures reaching record-breaking highs, it may be tempting for many Brits to cool off by diving into the nearest pool, devouring tubs of ice cream or even chewing ice cubes. However, this could be a recipe for disaster, according to a London-based dentist.
Dr Gizem Seymenoglu, a GDC-registered dentist with Longevita Dental, warns of unsightly stains, sensitivity, cavities, and even broken teeth from certain summer activities.
Frequent Swimming
She said: “Swimming in the cool water sounds wonderful, especially lately with the heatwaves, but frequent swimmers need to be aware of chlorine-induced buildup of tartar on the teeth, also known as swimmer’s calculus.
This isn’t something you need to worry about if you’re spending about an hour in the pool every day. However, if you’re someone who swims for 3 to 4 hours every day, this could become a problem.” It can stain your teeth and the chlorine can also cause enamel damage.
After swimming, the expert recommends rinsing the mouth right away, as it’ll help keep the teeth protected. “But you definitely should not brush your teeth immediately afterwards because your teeth will be coated in chlorine. Make sure to rinse first and then wait about 30 minutes before brushing.”
Chewing On Ice
Another seemingly harmless thing you might do this summer is crunch on ice cubes to keep cool, but doing so can have serious repercussions. Dr Gizem explains: “The hardness of the ice is what’s troublesome because that can end up cracking your enamel. Moreover, chewing ice with an already-cracked enamel can cause not only pain, but also sensitivity.”
If you really want to chew on ice, the dentist suggests letting it melt in your mouth instead of crunching it.
Increasing Sugar Intake
Another cause of concern is increased sugar intake, but Dr. Gizem says she won’t tell people not to consume ice cream, soft drinks, or frozen desserts because they are naturally enjoyed during the summer. Instead, the expert suggests a workaround:
“Don’t snack on ice creams and cold drinks in between meals. It’s actually better if you have them right after having a meal because your mouth will be in a better position to buffer the lowered pH. Of course, it would be ideal if you could cut down on sugar, but if you can’t, this way you can keep your teeth better protected.”
Consuming Alcoholic Beverages
Cold beer, fruity cocktails and wines are another summer favourite, but Dr Gizem warns: “Alcohol can lower the pH of the mouth due to its sugar content. Additionally, it causes dehydration, which can give you a dry mouth and bad breath. But more worryingly, this combination of low pH and dry mouth makes the teeth more vulnerable to cavities.
Drinking water alongside alcohol will help you avoid dehydration, but on days when you’ve been out in the sun for too long, you’ll already be dehydrated. So, it’s best not to drink too much alcohol then.”
Using Teeth As Tools
However, another problem associated with consuming alcoholic drinks and perhaps other cold beverages in the summer is the use of your teeth as tools.
As Dr Gizem notes: “It happens a lot! People try to open beer and wine bottles using their teeth, and it’s something that should never be done. Even if you absolutely have to do it, don’t! That’s because it can crack the enamel and even the tooth itself. I’ve seen this happen, so it’s best to avoid it.”
