Do we Spaniards have bad dental habits? The answer is yes, as can be deduced from a survey on oral health habits that Impress has carried out on more than 5,000 people in Europe. 93% of the Spaniards surveyed were convinced that it is very important to go to the dentist, only 31% visit it twice a year, while one in five does not even make an annual appointment. Another striking fact that the survey shows is that 60% consider that there is not enough information on how to take care of oral health.
In this sense, there is much ignorance, among other issues, of how we neglect our dental health during certain times of the year. During much of this it is easy to maintain oral hygiene routines: complying with a timetable for entering and leaving work, the usual chores in the afternoon and the fact that it soon gets dark and it is time to return to the warmth of the home helps everything to go more smoothly . And then the good weather arrives with proposals to meet almost every afternoon, meals out, organized trips or surprise getaways. Plans that make us happy and fill our suitcases with fun.
However, this rhythm, which suddenly accelerates so much that it is even difficult to follow, alters some habits because we sleep less hours and eat more copious and disorganized meals. Just as our schedules change, so do our beauty and hygiene routines. With all this, there are parts of our body that benefit and others not so much. While in winter we rarely remember our toenails, in summer we go over and over the color for the pedicure. Something similar happens with our oral health. From October to June, visits to the specialist are met, the recommended treatments are followed and daily cleaning is carried out to perfection, but the holidays arrive and the brushing and mouthwash guidelines tend to relax.
The holidays are for resting and forgetting about obligations, but you have to know how to find the exact point between what makes us happy and what can have consequences for our health in the future or, simply, what can ruin the efforts during winter. It is time to show off, social opportunities multiply and we strive to take care of our appearance, but, curiously, we do not pay enough attention to our oral health. On vacation we forget many habits that we have totally automated during the rest of the year and that, if we leave them aside, can have serious consequences. Among the most common problems, the appearance of bacterial plaque stands out, mainly because we forget to brush our teeth after each intake and to floss, which accumulates much more dirt.
That mid-morning snack, lunch on the beach or going to bed late can lead us to ignore everything that is necessary to show off a beautiful smile. The accumulation of bacterial plaque then turns into tartar, which, in addition to being an extremely unsightly factor, causes great damage to the gums. Have you ever wondered why at the end of the summer your gums bleed more? Well, you already have the answer. In the same way, inflamed gums are much more sensitive, which is why the cold of an ice cream begins to bother us or we decide to remove the ice from drinks. Another symptom that our mouth is demanding a little more attention from us is bad breath. It is common to believe that this is due to a change in diet, which is partly true, but that bacterial plaque that is growing strong between our teeth and gums is also largely to blame.
Do not panic. We are still in time to save our mouths from the blessed madness that summer and vacations bring. Top tip: always carry a toothbrush with you. Just as there is always room for lipstick and mattifying powder in the bag, a small toothbrush will also fit. Every day there is more offer and there are even travel dental kits that are really cute. This summer, show off your smile and hairbrush even at the beach bar. In the same way that even if you are on vacation or have a meeting to have an aperitif you always find time for your nails or your eyebrows, you should also reserve a few minutes for an intensive review of your teeth. We know that you are not going to have a dental problem at that moment or after a snack in the pool, but you will be when you get home. Set aside a day a week to do an intensive refresher, including mouthwash.
Hydration is basic when it’s hot. Our entire body needs its good portion of liquid and our mouth could not be less. Dryness, or what experts call dry mouth, is very harmful to our gums. Food can be a good ally. There are certain products that can save us from trouble, like biting into an apple to clean our teeth. Fruits and vegetables, in general, are very positive for our gums and for our overall health. Above all, fruits rich in water, such as melon. On the contrary, the excessive consumption of alcohol and sugary drinks is extremely detrimental to our pristine smile.
There is also another group of drinks and foods that are known to darken our enamel. Estela Arias, medical director of Impress Spain, explains that “tea, coffee, wine and other foods with food coloring gradually stain the teeth, which turn yellowish or brown.” In addition, she reminds us that acidic foods directly attack the enamel, so the surface of the tooth becomes thinner, which has an even greater effect on the color of the teeth.
Lastly, be careful with chlorine. Swimming pools are usually managed taking into account high hygiene and health requirements, and for this it is necessary to add chemical products to the water that protect us from many infections, but that can affect our skin and even our teeth, if the bath lasts too long. . For example, chlorine, which generates the so-called swimmer’s tartar, a reaction in the form of yellowish or brown spots on the teeth that usually appears on the front teeth. The solution is to rinse your mouth well after each bath. If you follow these tips, your smile will continue to be your perfect cover letter all year long.
