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The barbecue’s fired up. T-shirts and shorts are back in style. Sandy beaches and sidewalks are sizzling. Summer’s officially here, and it’s time to get back into hot weather mode. This means getting back into some healthy summer habits.

Be Ready to Hydrate!

Warm weather can lead to dehydration before you know it. And water does more than hydrate—it rinses away food particles after eating or snacking, neutralizes enamel-eroding acids in the mouth, and helps us keep up healthy levels of saliva. 

• A reusable water bottle is a summer shopping list must. When you’re out walking, hiking, exercising, or camping, you can’t always be sure you’ll have fresh water available. Fill your water bottle before you leave home—you’ll help yourself stay hydrated, save money, and protect the environment, too!
• Go light on the sports drinks and sodas when planning your summer menus. They’re often filled with sugars and acids—two very unhealthy ingredients for your teeth. 

Restock Your Sunscreen

Sunscreen helps protect skin of all shades and all ages. Exposure to ultraviolet rays is known to cause skin cancer and premature aging. Lip tissue is thin and delicate, especially at risk from the sun’s damaging UV rays. 

• Check your sunscreen for its expiration date. Protective sunscreens and lip balms lose effectiveness once that date has passed.
• Some sunscreens are designed for use on lips. If yours isn’t, look for a protective lip balm. All of your sunscreens and balms should have an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or higher.
• Bring your sunscreen and balm with you when you’re out and about, and reapply every two hours, or sooner if you’re eating, drinking, or getting wet.

Prep for Summer Adventures

If you’re travelling this summer, make sure the right dental supplies are part of your gear. A travel size toothbrush and toothpaste, a well-ventilated toothbrush case, dental floss, and your dentist’s emergency contact information are basic necessities. Once you have the basics, you can tailor your kit to your summer plans:

• Flying? Make sure every liquid, gel, or aerosol you’ll need is the proper size for carry-on flight rules, 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less. Toothpaste and mouthwash are included in these categories, so look for travel sizes in your favorites. 
• Going overseas? Don’t forget plug adaptors or voltage converters if needed for your electric toothbrush.
• Camping? An emergency kit with cotton rolls, over-the counter pain relief, oral pain relief gel, dental wax (for damaged braces or a broken tooth), and even temporary fillings and a tooth preservation kit can be crucial in case of unexpected dental injuries.

Make Sure Dental Care Is on Your Summer Calendar

Laid-back summer days are the best, but laid-back dental care really isn’t! Follow your healthy dental routine even during the lazy days of summer.

• Keep up with your brushing and flossing—brush two minutes twice each day with a fluoride toothpaste, and floss at least once a day.
• If you’re planning a trip, don’t ignore warning signs. If you have tooth pain or sensitivity, see your dentist to treat any problems before you’re cruising at 30,000 feet or enjoying a remote campout miles from anywhere.
• Make sure you keep up with your scheduled exams and cleanings. That’s the best way to ensure year-round dental health!

Whether you’re basking in the warm outdoor weather, relaxing in the shade with a cool drink and a good book, on the road to adventure, or wherever your summer plans take you, we hope these easy tips will help you create a summer filled with bright, healthy smiles.

When you think of a dental emergency, you may picture teeth that have fallen out or severe tooth pain. But it is not uncommon for wisdom teeth to develop conditions or problems that require urgent care from Dr. Pohl and our team at Buttermilk Dentistry. Wisdom teeth are the third set of molars that erupt in the late teen years to early 20s. Spacing and crowding problems often cause impaction and infections, which is why many people elect to have their wisdom teeth removed. If you are experiencing discomfort or pain related to your wisdom teeth, call our office to schedule a wisdom teeth consultation.

Perisoronitis and Infections

You may develop perisoronitis if you have a partially-erupted wisdom tooth that has become inflamed. Often, inflammation is caused by food lodged beneath the gum. Here at Buttermilk Dentistry, we can gently search for and remove food debris, as well as clean the affected area and treat it with antibiotics. Do not avoid treatment, however, as untreated perisoronitis can lead to infection, which ultimately places your health at risk.

Crowding and Impaction

When your wisdom teeth erupt, they may cause overcrowding of your teeth, which can have a negative effect on their alignment. This can make it harder for you to clean your teeth properly, and it also increases the chances for developing tooth decay and other oral health problems in the future. For some people, the wisdom teeth never erupt, becoming impacted beneath the gum and causing problems with the neighboring teeth.

If you have an impaction or wisdom tooth crowding, make an appointment with our office soon. We will be happy to evaluate the progress of your wisdom teeth, as well as their effect on the rest of your jaw. Depending on our analysis, we will then discuss your options for treatment and whether extraction might be right for you.

Complications from Wisdom Tooth Extraction

If you have recently had your wisdom teeth extracted, blood clots will have formed in the open sockets the teeth previously occupied. In most cases, the gums heal normally, assuming you follow post-surgical care instructions. However, a small percentage of wisdom tooth extractions do not heal according to plan. If you continue to experience pain or other unusual symptoms following a wisdom tooth extraction, please give us a call. We’ll do everything we can to minimize discomfort and help you heal safely and quickly.

Remember, our team is here to support your dental health in every capacity. We are dedicated to providing excellent service before, during, and after all wisdom tooth procedures, so you can rest assured that your oral health is in good hands.

Congratulations! Your pregnancy is a time of joy and excitement—and a time to take special care of yourself. You’ve discovered that pregnancy brings many physical changes, but it may still come as a surprise to learn that pregnancy hormones can affect your oral health as well. What should you look out for?

Gingivitis

Beginning in the second or third month of pregnancy, your gum tissue may show signs of gingivitis. Pregnancy hormones can cause an increase in the blood supply to your gums and affect the way your gums respond to plaque. These changes may lead to gums that are swollen, red and more likely to bleed upon brushing. This early form of gum disease should be treated as quickly as possible to avoid a more serious condition called periodontitis.

Periodontitis

Without treatment, the inflammation caused by gingivitis can increase. Periodontitis can lead to gums pulling away from the teeth, creating “pockets” that can be home to infection. These infections can lead to bone and tooth loss, so professional treatment is a must.

Pregnancy Granulomas

If you find a dark red swelling along the gumline or between two teeth, it might be a pregnancy granuloma. These granulomas are thought to be triggered by pregnancy hormones and may be a reaction to plaque or some other irritant. They often disappear once your baby is born and usually don’t cause any bother, but if you develop discomfort eating or speaking, your dentist might suggest removal.

You are looking for every way possible to provide your baby with the best start in life, so it is important to know that some studies have suggested a link between periodontal disease in pregnancy and complications such as pre-term delivery and low birth weight. Here are some important ways to maintain your oral health during pregnancy:

• Call Dr. Pohl when you find out you are pregnant. We have suggestions for your dental care that you can use immediately.
• Keep to your regular schedule of dental examinations and cleanings at our Crescent Springs office. If you find your gums beginning to show signs of gingivitis, call our office for an appointment. You might need to have your teeth cleaned more often during your pregnancy to avoid plaque buildup.
• Maintain your daily dental hygiene. Be sure to carefully brush along the gumline to discourage plaque formation. If you have not switched to a soft bristle toothbrush, now is the time! Talk to us about possible rinses or other at-home treatments.
• See a periodontist if needed for more serious gum problems.

Your pregnancy is a time to treat yourself and your baby with care. Talk to our office as soon as you find out you are pregnant. Making your dental health a priority can bring rewards both now and in the future, and we welcome the opportunity to suggest the best possible ways to care for yourself and your baby!

Dental sealants are an excellent way to protect children’s teeth from tooth decay by coating them with a thin plastic material. Their teeth look and feel like normal, but they are protected from plaque build-up and decay early on. Dr. Pohl and our staff recommend sealants as a preventive measure for children before any decay appears on their teeth.

Who should get dental sealants?

Dental sealants are intended for young children as soon as their first teeth come in. Decay is most common in the molars, so taking your child to Buttermilk Dentistry for sealants right when you see the molars grow in gives your child the best chance to fight tooth decay.

A child’s first set of permanent molars grow in between ages five and seven, while the second permanent molars come in between 11 and 14 years of age. Some teens and adults who don’t have tooth decay may get sealants as well, but it is less common.

How long do dental sealants last?

Once the sealant has been placed on the teeth, it lasts up to ten years. Expect to have Dr. Pohl check the sealant at every visit to our Crescent Springs office, which should be twice a year. We will look at the sealant and determine if it needs to be replaced.

What is the process of getting sealants?

Applying sealants is a simple, pain-free procedure that is done quickly at Buttermilk Dentistry. There is absolutely no effect on the tooth structure from sealants.

For starters, the teeth are cleaned carefully, then dried with an absorbent material. A mild acid solution is applied to them to roughen them slightly. This is done so the sealant can bond properly to the teeth. Then the teeth are rinsed and dried, and the sealant material is painted on and dried with a special light.

Molars are susceptible to decay early on, which is why sealants are an important treatment to get for your children’s first set of teeth.