For most people, this hot weather is great news and even better that it seems to be lasting; somewhat unusual for the UK. Naturally, people are inclined to spend more time outdoors during warmer days, but that can have its drawbacks too. Sunburn and heat stroke are serious risks, but it might surprise our Staines dental patients to know that it can also have a significant impact on our oral health. While we want our patients to enjoy themselves in the sun, we also want them to do so safely.
With the above in mind then. Let us look at some issues that can arise during the hot weather that can affect your oral health.
Most patients of the Clarence Dental Practice will be familiar with dehydration, even if it has been caused by drinking too much alcohol. The hot weather can also do this and especially if we stay out in it too long. This can lead to a number of medical issues such as sunstroke. Dehydration, as our regular blog readers will be aware, can also play a major role in the development and advancement of gum disease.
Not only can this have some unpleasant symptoms such as bleeding gums, soreness and halitosis but can eventually lead to damage to the bone securing your teeth in place and cause your teeth to become loose or even lead to tooth loss. Make sure then, to respect the sun and don’t let yourself overheat. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water before you even feel thirsty. This will help you to avoid the worst of it at the very least.
We mention water in the above section as many of us will almost inevitably turn to cold fizzy and sugary drinks. While these satisfy and quench our thirst, the sugar and acidity in them can be very damaging to our teeth. The acidic liquid washes over our teeth and starts to damage the protective enamel on our teeth. Over a period of time, this can cause significant damage to the teeth, often leaving patients with very sensitive and painful teeth, especially when eating and drinking hot and cold food and drinks.
Once this has happened, perhaps the most sustainable way to rectify it is by attaching porcelain dental veneers. While these are very effective, it is better to preserve the natural tooth enamel as much as possible by avoiding drinking too many soft drinks and sticking to water.
Asking people not to drink too much alcohol during this hot weather, especially when at barbeques and garden parties might seem a little like trying to spoil your fun, but not only is alcohol a potential factor in oral cancer and gum disease, but is a common cause of dental accidents caused by excessive consumption.
Falls, collisions and just general damage caused by fooling around or showing off, have been responsible for many calls to the dentist asking for an emergency appointment. Broken or knocked out teeth are quite common and a heavy fall could lead to the loss of several teeth. It really isn’t worth it, and especially as it is easy to dehydrate in this heat, take care to drink alcohol sensibly and in moderation and drink water alongside your alcoholic beverages.
Finally, after a long day in the sun (and perhaps a little bit too much to drink) we finally start to feel tired and possibly exhausted as the sun takes its toll. When we decide to go to bed, our decision is likely to be quick and the intention to get into bed as soon as possible. It might well be tempting when this happens to just skip our nighttime route of brushing and flossing our teeth and head straight to bed.
This would be a bad mistake and will increase your risk of gum disease and also tooth decay as sugars etc attack your teeth while you sleep. However tired you feel, please do ensure that you brush your teeth well and also use dental floss to clean between your teeth. It only takes a few minutes and will make a big difference to your oral health.
With the warm weather set to last as far as we can see, the potential issues listed above become even more likely. One day ignoring all the suggestions may only have a limited impact on your teeth and gums, but too many days like that and you are likely to need treatment by one of our Staines dentists to restore your teeth or get your gums back on the right track again.
It goes without saying that, in addition to the advice above, you need to maintain regular check ups and hygienist visits too. If you don’t have an appointment booked or have any other dentistry related questions, you can contact the Clarence Dental Practice via the website form or by calling us on 01784 463695.
Address: 21a Clarence Street, Staines upon Thames, Surrey, TW18 4SU
Location Map
