Summer around Boston has its own personality.
The iced coffee gets bigger.
The weekends get longer.
The Cape starts calling.
Someone invites you to play pickleball even though you have never held a paddle.
And suddenly everyone you know is either heading to the airport, sitting by a pool, or trying to fit an entire year’s worth of fun into eight weeks.
We support this.
Completely.
But your teeth would like to make a few small requests before you disappear into summer mode.
Nothing dramatic.
Just a friendly Dental Restorative Group summer survival guide.
Rule #1: Yes, You Can Have the Iced Coffee
We are a dental office.
We are also realistic people living near Boston.
We know better than to tell New Englanders to give up iced coffee in July.
Enjoy your coffee.
Just remember that frequently sipping certain beverages throughout the entire day means your teeth are being exposed repeatedly to whatever is in that drink.
For coffee drinkers concerned about staining, drinking water afterward can help rinse the mouth.
And if you are adding flavored syrups or sugar, it is worth remembering that the frequency of sugar exposure matters too.
This is not a lecture.
Your iced coffee is safe from us.
We are simply suggesting that perhaps one iced coffee does not need to become a six-hour relationship.
Rule #2: Lemonade Is Refreshing. Your Enamel Has Notes.
Few things say summer like lemonade by the water.
Unfortunately, acidic drinks can contribute to enamel erosion when teeth are exposed frequently over time.
The ADA’s MouthHealthy guidance recommends limiting acidic beverages, rinsing with water afterward, and waiting about an hour before brushing following acidic foods or drinks rather than brushing immediately.
So enjoy the lemonade.
Enjoy the sparkling drinks.
Enjoy the vacation.
Just give your teeth some water in between.
Consider it a palate cleanser.
Very sophisticated.
Rule #3: Your Teeth Are Not Bottle Openers
We feel strongly about this one.
Your teeth have many talents.
Opening bottles is not one of them.
Neither is tearing open stubborn plastic packaging.
Or cracking things that were clearly not designed to be cracked with human teeth.
Summer gatherings have a way of encouraging questionable decisions.
Before using your front tooth as a multipurpose tool, pause.
Find the bottle opener.
Your prosthodontist will be proud of you.
Rule #4: Pickleball Is Apparently Everyone’s Personality Now
Tennis.
Pickleball.
Soccer.
Basketball at the park.
Cycling.
Surfing.
Whatever gets you outside, we are in favor.
We are less enthusiastic about a ball, paddle, elbow, bicycle handlebar, or unexpected patch of pavement meeting your front teeth.
The American Dental Association recommends a properly fitted mouthguard for sports and recreational activities where there is a meaningful risk of dental or facial injury. Its guidance includes activities ranging from soccer and basketball to skateboarding and cycling.
A mouthguard may not improve your backhand.
It may, however, make the story of your summer significantly less expensive.
Rule #5: Do Not Let a Vacation Become Your Excuse for Ignoring a Tooth
There are two kinds of travelers.
The person who packs three days early.
And the person who throws a passport and one sock into a suitcase while the rideshare driver is already outside.
Whichever person you are, there is one thing we recommend:
If a tooth has been bothering you before a major trip, consider having it evaluated before you leave.
A small, occasional discomfort does not automatically mean something serious is happening.
But an airplane headed across the Atlantic is an inconvenient place to begin wondering why your tooth suddenly hurts.
Complex dental problems also cannot always be diagnosed or treated appropriately at the last minute.
Give yourself time.
Your vacation photos should feature the Amalfi Coast.
Not you Googling “dentist near me” from a hotel room.
Rule #6: Pack for Your Teeth Too
Your suitcase probably contains clothing for at least three imaginary versions of yourself.
The elegant dinner version.
The hiking version.
The person who apparently plans to attend a yacht party even though no yacht has been mentioned.
Surely there is room for a toothbrush.
For summer travel, consider packing:
- A toothbrush
- Fluoride toothpaste
- Floss or your preferred interdental cleaner
- Any appliance you regularly wear, such as a night guard
- A protective case for removable appliances
- Your dentist’s contact information
- A small dental travel kit in your carry-on for longer trips
If you wear a night guard, retainer, or removable prosthesis, do not wrap it in a napkin at a restaurant.
This is how expensive things accidentally meet trash cans.
Use the case.
The case is your friend.
Rule #7: Ice Belongs in the Drink
We know.
It is right there.
Cold.
Crunchy.
Tempting.
But restorations and natural teeth can both be damaged by unexpectedly hard objects.
If you have extensive restorative dental work, veneers, crowns, or a history of cracked teeth, being thoughtful about what you bite can be particularly important.
Let the ice melt.
Your drink will still be cold.
Civilization will continue.
Rule #8: Summer Photos Have a Way of Inspiring Dental Questions
It happens every year.
Someone attends a wedding.
Takes a vacation.
Has professional photographs taken.
Or sees themselves in 400 family pictures from the beach.
Suddenly they begin noticing a tooth they had not thought about in years.
Maybe it is an older crown.
A chipped edge.
Worn teeth.
A front tooth that is slightly different in color.
If something about your smile genuinely bothers you, it is reasonable to ask about it.
That does not mean you need ten veneers.
Sometimes there is a conservative option.
Sometimes treatment is not recommended at all.
And sometimes a carefully planned restoration can make a meaningful difference.
The conversation should begin with what concerns you, not with a predetermined procedure.
Rule #9: The Best Summer Smile Is the One You Are Actually Using
Please smile in the photographs.
Seriously.
We meet patients who have spent years covering their mouths when they laugh.
They avoid photographs.
They smile without showing their teeth.
Sometimes the reason is dental.
Sometimes it is confidence.
Sometimes it is both.
Dental treatment can address certain problems, but we also want to say this:
Your smile does not need to be perfect before you are allowed to enjoy your life.
Go to dinner.
Take the picture.
Laugh loudly.
Enjoy the summer.
And if there is something about your dental health or smile that you would genuinely like to understand or improve, we are here to have that conversation with you.
No judgment.
No need to apologize.
And Finally: Summer Is Short
Especially in New England.
Soon enough, someone will mention pumpkin spice.
We will all pretend we are ready for sweaters.
And the person who complained about the July heat will complain about the January cold.
So enjoy it while it lasts.
Drink the iced coffee.
Take the trip.
Play the pickleball match.
Go to the wedding.
Visit the Cape.
Cheer too loudly.
Just remember:
Water between the lemonade.
Mouthguard when it makes sense.
Bottle opener for the bottle.
And absolutely no using a beautiful front crown as a tool.
From all of us at Dental Restorative Group, have a wonderful and smile-filled summer.
Dental Restorative Group, 385 Concord Avenue, Suite 100, Belmont, MA 02478. Call 617-489-1470 to request an appointment. We see patients from Belmont, Cambridge, Boston, and the surrounding communities.
Related Reading
- Traveling After Dental Surgery: What You Need to Know
- Why Summer Can Affect Your Oral Health
- The World Cup Smile Playbook: Soccer and Dentistry
Frequently Asked Questions
Is iced coffee bad for my teeth in summer?
Enjoying iced coffee is fine. The issue is frequency: sipping any beverage throughout the entire day exposes your teeth repeatedly to whatever is in it. Drinking water afterward helps rinse the mouth, and remember that added syrups or sugar increase how often your teeth meet sugar.
Should I brush right after drinking lemonade or acidic drinks?
The ADA’s MouthHealthy guidance recommends waiting about an hour before brushing after acidic foods or drinks, rather than brushing immediately, along with limiting acidic beverages and rinsing with water afterward. Giving your teeth water between acidic drinks helps too.
Do I need a mouthguard for pickleball or recreational sports?
The American Dental Association recommends a properly fitted mouthguard for sports and recreational activities with a meaningful risk of dental or facial injury, including activities from soccer and basketball to skateboarding and cycling. It will not improve your game, but it can prevent a costly injury.
What should I pack for my teeth when traveling?
Consider a toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste, floss or your interdental cleaner, any appliance you regularly wear such as a night guard, a protective case for removable appliances, your dentist’s contact information, and a small dental travel kit in your carry-on for longer trips.
Should I see a dentist before a big trip?
If a tooth has been bothering you, consider having it evaluated before you leave. A minor, occasional discomfort is not automatically serious, but a flight across the Atlantic is an inconvenient place to start wondering why a tooth hurts, and complex problems cannot always be treated last minute.
This article is intended for general education and entertainment. Individual dental concerns should be evaluated by a dental professional.
