The onset of summer has brought some very hot weather, which as well as getting people reaching for the factor 50 and digging around in the drawer for a pair of shorts, will have left many making sure they are never far from some liquid refreshment.
However, this raises one of the dental hazards associated with summer. The weather will make people thirstier, but if the response is to drink more sugary soft drinks that could have some obvious consequences for your teeth. Even Coca-Cola admits that its products can cause decay.
Cocoa-Cola said it is important people look after their teeth, but when you visit a dentist in Ashton-under-Lyne, it will definitely help if you have not drunk lots of sugary pop since your last appointment.
These days, since the introduction of the soft drinks tax by former chancellor George Osborne, it is at least easier to find sugar-free alternatives. That is less so for milky drinks, which are not covered by the tax, or fruit juice.
Ice cream is another potential threat as it is full of sugar. An article published last year by Cavities Get Around highlighted just how much harm it could do. The high sugar content in the ice cream itself is bad enough, but matters can be made worse by the toppings, so beware of the raspberry sauce and sprinkles.
The advice given in the article was that you should drink water (not fizzy drinks, note) after eating ice cream, and brush your teeth half an hour later if possible.
It is not just artificial foods with added sugar you need to be aware of. Even some of the summer fruits you may enjoy can be very sugary and acidic.
Strawberries are a case in point. This is important to note because some people swear by them as a means of whitening teeth. However, as Healthline notes, this effect comes from the citric acid they contain, which can erode the enamel, so that really isn’t a good idea.
The summer can be a great time, but be careful what you eat and look after your teeth.