Whether you’re hiking the Catalina Verdugo Trail or the Mountain Do Trail, I want you to enjoy a safe experience this spring. Of course, hiking and walking are excellent forms of exercise, but long treks can also encourage smile-damaging habits. I want to help you avoid the pitfalls.
In this blog, I unpack the following topics:
- About the Trails in and Around Glendale, CA
- Oral Habits to Avoid While Hiking
- Oral Habits to Incorporate Along the Trail
- What if You Chip a Tooth on Your Hike
- Dental Emergency? When to Call My Dental Office
- Why Spring Is an Excellent Time to Schedule a Checkup and Teeth Cleaning
- Be Proactive Between Your Dental Checkups This Season
About the Trails in and Around Glendale, CA
There are plenty of fantastic trails and natural areas to explore in and around Glendale, including:
- Catalina Verdugo Trail: This trail is ideal for moderate exercise and is popular among parents and children. You’ll find benches for resting and a covered bridge to enjoy a bit of shade.
- Mountain Do Trail: This scenic trail is ideal for everyone, including those with mobility challenges. You’ll find off-trail picnic tables and benches for a little relaxation during your hike.
- Other Places to Consider: Deukmejian Park, the Verdugo Mountains, and the San Rafael Hills
Oral Habits to Avoid While Hiking
We enjoy warm weather most of the year, but in the spring months, it may be especially tempting to indulge in habits that are detrimental to our oral health. My goal is to encourage fun in the sun while still emphasizing oral health precautions.
Here are a few things to avoid while hiking the trails in and around Glendale, CA:
- Avoid Chewing on Ice: Ice can lead to sudden tooth chips and even fractures. I recommend avoiding this habit whether or not you’re hiking.
- Avoid Sugary and Acidic Drinks: Sugary and acidic beverages, such as sports drinks and juice, can be detrimental to your oral health, leading to tooth decay and stains. These drinks can also worsen dehydration.
- Avoid Sugary Snacks: Sugary snacks, like sugary and acidic drinks, can also cause tooth decay and even advanced conditions like gingivitis.
Oral Habits to Incorporate Along the Trail
When it comes to hydration, nothing beats plain water. Water hydrates the body and helps prevent dry mouth, which is common in warm or windy weather. You can also chew sugar-free gum to help your salivary glands keep your mouth moist.
When snacking on the trail, I recommend nuts, yogurt, celery sticks, and the like. Some granola bars are loaded with sugar and may not be the healthiest choice for your teeth and gums.
What if You Chip a Tooth on Your Hike
If you chip a tooth on the trail, it’s important to keep it clean. Small chips can often wait until the next available appointment, but if you experience pain or swelling, it’s important to leave the trail and call my dental office as soon as possible to schedule an emergency dental appointment in Glendale, CA.
Dental Emergency? When to Call My Dental Office
If you have an oral injury, such as a tumble or cracked tooth, on the hiking trail. Please call my dental office immediately to schedule an emergency dental visit. Pain, swelling, or injuries should not wait!
If you have a change in your oral health and are unsure whether your situation is a dental emergency, please call my office.
Why Spring Is an Excellent Time to Schedule a Checkup and Teeth Cleaning
The American Dental Association and most dentists recommend twice-yearly dental checkups and professional teeth cleanings, and spring is a fantastic time to book at least one of these preventive appointments because it is an indulgent season, and certain habits can be detrimental to teeth and gums.
You can kick off spring with a clean bill of dental health or end the season with a comprehensive dental checkup and teeth cleaning in Glendale, CA.
Be Proactive Between Your Dental Checkups This Season
- Brush and floss at least twice daily.
- Avoid chewing on non-food objects.
- Avoid biting into taffy or sticky foods with a capped tooth.
- Keep your smile hydrated.
- Wear a mouthguard during sports or steep spring climbs.
- Wear your nightguard if you grind and clench your teeth.
- Call my dental team if you have questions.
To Schedule Your Next Checkup, Contact My Dental Office Today
If you’re looking for a dentist in Glendale, CA, or an existing patient looking to schedule your next preventive dental visit, call my office today. You can also book an appointment online.
I accept many of the most popular PPO plans and am happy to work with CareCredit financing, a third-party program that allows area patients and families to budget their dental care. Many programs are interest-free, and a member of my team can help you apply. Eligibility decisions are typically prompt.
My team and I at Lucio H. Kim, DDS, wish you and yours a happy and healthy spring!
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