For many, summer is the best time of the year; it’s when your family can finally go on that much-needed vacation, you enjoy gatherings with your friends, and you can spend some time soaking up the sun. And if you’re lucky enough to live in Glendale, CA, you can do some shopping at The Americana at Brand, take a stroll through Griffith Park and the LA Zoo, or visit the Alex Theatre for a fabulous show.
Southern California has a great deal to offer its residents, but the warm, arid climate can cause some oral health concerns as well.
Let’s examine how the Glendale heat can shift your oral microbiome and what you can do to combat the problem.
The Biological Impact of a SoCal Summer
Even if you love summer heat, it’s important to realize what the changing environment can do to your body and your mouth. As temperatures in the San Fernando Valley climb to 90°F or higher, you need to know how to keep your mouth hydrated and healthy.
Beyond Cosmetic Clichés
As important as it is to keep your smile looking its best when you’re on vacation or enjoying a family event, your oral ecosystem requires some extra attention during the hot summer months. The combination of extreme heat, lifestyle shifts, and lack of proper hydration can alter your mouth’s pH, and this can threaten your oral and overall health.
The Saliva Deficit: Dehydration as a Biological Catalyst
Even though you may want to spend your day exploring instead of drinking water, you really should be aware of the dangers of dehydration. Staying hydrated is the key to keeping your body and your mouth healthy, no matter the season.
The Dehydration Mechanism
Summer is a great time to practice a more active lifestyle, so whether you’re enjoying the hiking trails in the Verdugo Mountains or walking down Brand Boulevard, there’s no shortage of things to see and do. But while you’re having fun, you can succumb to systemic dehydration faster than you realize.
The Clinical Consequence: Xerostomia
As your body runs low on water, it immediately scales back on saliva production to conserve fluids. As a result, you may experience xerostomia, or dry mouth.
Why a Saliva Deficit Threatens Enamel
Because saliva dilutes harmful acids in your mouth, washes away food particles, and delivers calcium and phosphate back to your tooth enamel, a saliva deficit creates an acidic environment. Unfortunately, this often leads to an increase in cavity-causing bacteria.
The Preventive Action Plan
The good news is that Glendale’s municipal tap water contains surface-strengthening fluoride that can remineralize your teeth, so be sure to drink as much water as possible during the hotter months.
It’s a simple thing to do, but drinking plenty of water is the best defense against dry mouth and possible oral health issues.
The Al Fresco pH Trap: Casual Grazing vs. Oral Chemistry
Imagine the perfect summer day where you’re strolling along, sipping on a decadent iced coffee or oversized ice cream treat. It may seem harmless enough, but you may not realize how harmful this casual grazing can be to your mouth.
The Glendale Summer Lifestyle
Eating outside on a warm summer night is a great way to enjoy your patio and reconnect with a friend, and Glendale is the perfect place to do just that. If you’re lucky enough to be out and about making the most of the summer, you need to be aware of your oral chemistry and how to keep your mouth safe from dental issues.
The Chemical Spike of Cold Treats
When it’s hot outside, there’s nothing better than an iced coffee, sweetened boba, craft beer, or frozen treat. But the problem is that when you consume these tasty treats over an extended period, it can wreak havoc on your oral health.
The Continuous Demineralization Zone
Every time you take a sip or a bite of a sugary or acidic beverage, your oral pH drops into a highly destructive "demineralization zone" for roughly 20 minutes. If you continuously sip an iced drink for several hours while hanging out with family and friends, your teeth never get a chance to recover. Unfortunately, this can soften your tooth enamel and cause cavities.
Citing the Clinical Authority
According to guidelines from the American Dental Association (ADA), exposing your teeth to sugars and acids for an extended time is significantly more damaging than consuming a sugary treat all at once and then cleaning your mouth.
The Mid-Year Benchmark: Why June is a Strategic Dental Checkpoint
June marks the exact halfway point of the calendar year, making it the ideal time to take stock of your oral health. Ask yourself, “Is it time for a routine exam and cleaning?” If it has been six months or more, we encourage you to contact us for an appointment.
Intercepting Silent Micro-Fractures
Even if you aren’t experiencing any dental issues, extreme cold temperatures from ice cream or summer drinks can cause your tooth enamel to contract. This can lead to tiny cracks in your teeth, and left untreated, these small flaws could turn into painful dental emergencies.
That’s why a routine mid-year visit is so important; it allows us to diagnose and treat minor dental concerns before they worsen.
Resetting Your Biology at Brush & Smile
When you’re ready to reset your smile and achieve the best oral health possible, we hope you’ll contact our experienced dental team! At Lucio H. Kim, DDS, we strive to answer your questions and help you make informed decisions about your teeth and gums.
If you’d like to schedule a consultation or appointment, please feel free to reach out to us at (818) 242-3739.