5 Tips for a Healthy Summer Smile

At AlignBar, our dentist in downtown San Diego provides a wide range of preventative dentistry services. Our focus on prevention helps you enjoy healthy, attractive teeth for life! Here are five important pieces of advice to help you enjoy a bright, healthy smile all summer long. 

#1 Drink Plenty of Water

Fluoridated drinking water is vital to effective preventative dentistry. In downtown San Diego, it’s also crucial to help you stay hydrated through the hot summer months. Tap water is best, as it contains regulated fluoride levels (bottled water usually doesn’t.) So, invest in a fun, refillable thermos or jug to keep on hand. Drinking water helps reduce bacterial levels, neutralize acids, and lower your risk of tooth decay.

#2 Catch Up on Your Dental Cleaning

Whether you’re due for a checkup, cleaning, or teeth whitening in downtown San Diego, AlignBar provides flexible scheduling that fits your busy routine. People with healthy teeth and gums usually benefit from a preventative cleaning every six months (or more often if they’re prone to buildup, gum disease, or wearing braces.)

If you fell behind on your dental cleanings during the COVID shutdowns, right now is the best time to book an appointment for a dental cleaning near you.

#3 Wear a Mouthguard

Now that most of us are getting out and about again, we’re able to participate in the group or athletic activities that we missed so much. But with warmer temperatures and sports also comes an uptick in dental emergencies like broken or knocked-out teeth. A protective mouthguard can help you avoid lip lacerations, chipped enamel, busted gums, and even concussions.

Not all mouthguards, however, are created equal. For the best level of protection and optimal comfort, you’ll want to work with your dentist to have a professional guard made. The customized fit will help your appliance to stay in place when you need it the most.

#4 Touch Up on Your Whitening

Although whitening doesn’t technically make your teeth “healthier” per se, it does make them look that way. A bright, attractive smile is a great reflection of wellness and youth. With all of these months going without cleanings, wearing a mask, or drinking extra coffee, most of us could do with a teeth whitening touchup. At AlignBar we offer flexible teeth whitening options to help your teeth look their very best. And touching up after dental cleanings is prime time to get the whitest outcome possible. 

If you already have a pair of whitening trays on hand, apply a small dot of gel into each tooth reservoir and wear the trays for an hour a day. Most people only need to touch up for 3-7 days, but if it’s been a year or longer you might want to go 10-14 days total. When you run out of gel, just stop by to get a refill tube from our dentist in downtown San Diego. Be sure to store it in the refrigerator between uses to help it last between touchups.

#5 Don’t Forget to Clean In-Between

While most of us are great about brushing, we’re not always as dedicated to cleaning between our teeth each and every day. And the only way to make that happen is to use floss or something like a water flosser. No matter how great of a toothbrush you’re using, it won’t clean those spaces. So, make a point to find what works best for you—be it a floss pick, Waterpik, or something else—and clean those areas at least once a day. Without this crucial step in your oral hygiene routine, you’ll be far more likely to develop conditions like tooth decay and gum disease.

Book an Appointment

Access preventative dentistry in Downtown San Diego at AlignBar. Looking for a dental cleaning near you? Book an appointment with us today.