Let’s Have a Tooth Happy 4th of July
4th of July celebrations are exciting and fun. It is a time where family and friends gather together to enjoy yummy food, thrilling activities and festive fireworks, but they can also have hidden dangers for your teeth. So, while you are relaxing and taking a break to celebrate our country’s freedom, keep these few simple tips in mind so you can continue to show off your beautiful smile!
Eat This Not That. Between the backyard barbecues and family potlucks, there are bound to be tons of foods that will entice your taste buds. You know the ones…red, white and blue cupcakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, chips with dip, candy and festive sugary drinks. The more sugar and unhealthy foods you eat, the more likely you are to experience tooth decay.
Before you indulge too much, try some of these tasty and healthy teeth-friendly foods:
- Yogurt Parfait made with summer berries
- Fresh Fruit such as strawberries, apples or watermelon
- Hummus and Pita Chips (skip the chips and salsa)
- Veggies and Dip or Grilled Veggies and Salads
- Cheese and Crackers
- Water (try adding fresh fruit, mint, cucumbers or lemons to your water)
Try to avoid crunching on hard foods such as ice, hard candies and chips.
If you have braces or dentures and enjoy corn on the cob, cut the corn off the cob prior to eating so it doesn’t get lodged in your teeth leading to plaque build-up.
Drink Lots of Water Water is the number one choice to ensure the health of your teeth. It is better than sodas and sports drinks and it helps keep you hydrated. If you are drinking alcoholic beverages or sugary drinks, be sure to rinse your mouth out with water in between drinks and when you are done.
Traveling or Camping? If you are traveling or camping, be sure to provide each member of your family with a tooth-care kit. It can be as simple as a toothbrush, travel toothpaste and floss in a zippered pencil pouch. To help your young children get excited, let them decorate their own pouch.
Don’t Use Your Teeth While the temptation is there, DO NOT use your teeth to open packages or bottles. This could chip or seriously damage your teeth and gums. Instead, use the right tool for the job such as scissors or bottle openers. Put them on your list now so you don’t forget!
Thrilling Activities Is swimming, rafting, water skiing or baseball on your list of 4th of July fun? If so, make sure you take the necessary precautions. Use a mouthguard where appropriate and remember that many mouth and teeth injuries happen around the pool due to slipping and falling. Try not to roughhouse or run near the pool.
Fireworks Keep a close eye on the little ones as they run around with sparklers or near other fireworks. Children are naturally curious, but can easily suffer facial, eye and teeth injuries as a result.
We hope you have a fun and safe 4th of July!!!
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