Keep smiles bright and mouths healthy during summer vacations and sports

Summer is a great time to hit the road with family and friends and definitely a favorite time for getting out to throw the ball around, but according to Drs. Robert and Mandy Shearer at Soddy Daisy Smiles, it's also a time to evaluate your dental routine and make sure you're taking the proper steps to care for and protect your teeth.

photo Robert and Mandy Shearer

"Swimming and softball are two of the most popular summer sports, and the ones where we can see teeth take a big hit if you're not careful," Mandy Shearer said. "If you swim more than six hours a week and expose your teeth to chemically treated water, you can end up with brown or yellow deposits on the teeth, known as swimmer's calculus."

This condition can normally be removed with a dental cleaning in the office. Mandy Shearer noted that it's important to wear the right mouthguard and keep up good brushing and flossing habits to help prevent the condition.

Swimmers who enjoy diving can also battle what's known as diver's mouth syndrome, Robert Shearer shared.

"This is caused by the air pressure change involved in scuba diving and by divers biting too hard on their scuba air regulators," he explained. "Tooth squeeze is caused by the change in air pressure, particularly if a diver has a big cavity, a temporary filling, gum disease, periodontal abscess or incomplete root canal therapy."

To combat this problem, visit the dentist before scuba diving and make sure your dental health is up to shape. Ask about fitting an air regulator mouthpiece.

Popular contact sports such as softball and soccer present problems when players' teeth are damaged because of physical impact or not wearing the proper mouthguards and face masks when needed.

"This is a really simple fix," Mandy Shearer said. "Make sure you have the right piece and that it's fitted for you for whatever sport you play."

With all the summer fun and trips in the mix, dental health can be especially tricky for kids. Mandy Shearer noted that even if families are on the go and enjoying some downtime together, it's just as important to keep up those brushing and flossing habits to avoid problems down the road.

"Parents tend to schedule dental checkups in August, right before class starts," she shared. "But to prevent dental problems over summer, get in as soon as you can when school is out. This way, the kids have a clean bill of dental health for summer. The last thing you want is a child suffering from a toothache while away on summer vacation."

Robert Shearer went on to share that making sure the family snack stash is full of fruits and veggies clean and ready to grab to help avoid the quick and easy summer junk food that can wreak havoc on kids' teeth.

Robert and Mandy Shearer agree that if you do have a dental emergency, such as a knocked out tooth from playing a sport, the first person you need to call is your dentist.

"You want to make sure you get the right care from the dentist who knows your history and is skilled in what you need," Robert Shearer said.

To help keep teeth healthy and for more information on summer care and tips, Soddy Daisy Smiles offers services and consultations for current and new patients of all ages.

Noteworthy:

"Swimming and softball are two of the most popular summer sports, and the ones where we can see teeth take a big hit if you're not careful. If you swim more than six hours a week and expose your teeth to chemically treated water, you can end up with brown or yellow deposits on the teeth, known as swimmer's calculus." - Dr. Mandy Shearer of Soddy Daisy Smiles

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about Soddy Daisy Smiles and its services, call the office at 423-332-5275 or visit soddydaisysmiles.com.

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