We at 1st Family Dental usually like to point out the positives when it comes to dental habits.  This time, we’re going to switch things up.  It’s summer, a holiday weekend is approaching, and for some reason, the two combined have the potential to result in dental disasters.

If you’ve got nothing better to do with your long weekend than spend it worrying about tooth troubles, just follow these 5 easy steps and you’ll be well on your way.*

*Hint:  We’re using reverse psychology here.

How to Wreck Your Smile

Step 1: Use your Teeth as Tools.

Nothing spells trouble for teeth like using them to do things they were never meant to do.  Teeth are meant for chewing and grinding food, and for making you look great when you smile.  Stress and pressure from hard surfaces like metal, plastics, and glass can cause teeth and dental work like crowns and veneers to break.  If you have braces, it’s a surefire way to break a bracket or three.

Repeat after us: my teeth will not replace my tool belt.  If you are heading out to a get-together this weekend, make sure you pack all of the necessary tools for the festivities, and keep them handy for your friends, as well.

Step 2: Go to Bed Without Brushing.

The second tip in How to Wreck Your Smile is when you’re tired, we know how hard it can be to motivate yourself to stay awake 2 more minutes to brush your teeth.  The most important part of a healthy daily oral hygiene routine is keeping up with the routine.  Going to bed without brushing allows bacteria and food particles to sit on your teeth and gums without interruption, which can greatly increase your susceptibility to tooth decay and gum disease.

Trust us, stick it out and spend those 2 extra minutes brushing your teeth before you crash.  It’s one thing we’re sure you won’t regret about your night.

Step 3: Use Your Dental Floss For Everything But Flossing.

Don’t get us wrong, we love a good DIY project.  There are a lot of great uses for dental floss, but don’t forget to use it every day for its intended purpose: removing bacteria and food particles from between your teeth and at the gum line.  We’ve posted before about the importance of regular flossing to prevent gum disease and bad breath.

If you have plans to use your holiday for home improvement projects or arts and crafts, just remember to save yourself enough floss to get your smile through the weekend.

Step 4: Chew on Hard or Sticky Candies, or Ice.

Sorry folks, but if this guy’s name is on the candy you’re looking at, you should probably avoid it.  Hard candies are a bit of a tough deal.  Letting the candy melt in your mouth allows the sugars to sit on your teeth and gums for a longer period of time.  Crunching on them can crack or even break teeth or dental work such as fillings and crowns.  Sticky candies such as toffee can be very tough to remove once stuck on your teeth, and can put unnecessary stress on teeth and dental work.

We also recommend to avoid chewing on ice.  This can be more difficult during the summer months when frosty beverages are just so refreshing, and the ice is ever so tempting.  Do your best to avoid stressing your teeth now, and you will be rewarded with a healthier smile in the long run.

Step 5: Don’t Wear a Mouthguard

When packing for a game,a mouthguard should be an essential piece of sports equipment. In a previous post, we outlined the basics of mouthguards, including the different types that are available, and how a mouthguard should fit and feel.

We recommend using a mouthguard even if you are only planning to play a friendly pick up game.  Who knows?  If you’ve been paying attention to the World Cup drama, you may know that a good mouthguard can not only protect the wearer from the stress and impact of the sport, but when worn properly it might even protect the wearer from himself. *Eye Roll*

(Photo credit: http://www.mirror.co.uk/all-about/luis%20suarez%20bite)

We hope you have a fun, safe and enjoyable 4th of July weekend.  As always, we welcome comments and suggestions.  Feel free to leave a message below, or send us an email anytime at: email@1fd.org.