Don Harvey Dental in Alpharetta, GA was voted Top 100 Dentist in Atlanta for 2014.
Keeping your teeth healthy even in the Summertime is very important to Don Harvey Dental. We are located in Alpharetta, GA and enjoy serving patients of all ages. Enjoy the water tips & stay hydrated!
It’s summer, it’s 90 degrees outside and you need a way to keep your kids hydrated. Soft drinks, juices and sports drinks are often convenient—but should be consumed in moderation because drinking too much could damage your teeth. Most of these drinks are loaded with sugar. A study printed in the journal General Dentistry in 2012 suggests that the acid in sports drinks and energy drinks could damage your tooth enamel (the outer protective layer of the tooth).Another study in the March/April 2013 issue of General Dentistry says the acid in carbonated diet soda can also cause significant damage to your teeth if you drink too much. So it is not just the sugar you need to think about.The obvious healthy choice at the pool or beach is water. The best choice is to fill a reusable water bottle from your sink. Not only will you and your kids benefit from the fluoride in the tap water, you’ll also be keeping more plastic out of the landfill. Substituting fluoridated water for sodas and sports drinks won’t just allow you to avoid the sugar and acid. Fluoride has been shown to decrease cavity formation by 20-40%. If refilling your water bottle is going to be a problem and your going to need to carry extra in a cooler, take a hard look at the bottled water on the shelf in your local grocery store. You’ll usually be able to find some with fluoride added.
If you do reach for a soft drink, sports drink or sugary lemonade, there are a couple things that can help protect your teeth. When your done with the drink, you can rinse with some water or reach for some sugar-free gum. And don’t forget about regular brushing and flossing—which can help rescue your teeth when you do indulge in something other than water.
Summertime tips on how to keep your family consuming more water ~
1.) Freeze bottled water and pull out to take to the park or pool with you. It will stay cold longer making it more refreshing to want to drink.
2.) Make gallons of fruit / veggie water ahead of time and keep cold in the fridge. Slice the fruit or veggie ( favorites are: strawberries, blueberries, oranges, limes, lemons, cucumbers and mint leaves) and place into a gallon filled with water and ice. Mix well and ENJOY!
Another great summertime favorite ~ Place cleaned grapes in the freezer. Clean and Remove grapes from the stem and place into snack size bags. These bags can easily be thrown into a cooler for the pool or a trip to the park.
Enjoy your summer and don’t forget to schedule your dental appointment for your cleaning and check-up!
Call Don Harvey Dental at 770-343-6565 or info@DonHarveyDental.com, we are located in Alpharetta, GA 30005.
