Summer is just around the corner! No doubt, you are excited for all your favorite warm-weather activities. However, caution is in order. Some popular seasonal pastimes could actually damage your smile and cause you to need emergency oral surgery. What activities might endanger your oral health, and how can you protect yourself? This blog post provides helpful information.
Contact Sports and Backyard Games
A quick game of basketball, softball, soccer, or flag football can put your lips, cheeks, gums, and tongue at risk. An elbow to the face, a fall to the ground, or a fast ball can split soft tissue and chip or loosen teeth. You can lower your risk by wearing a mouthguard that fits well and stays secure. You should also use a helmet or face shield when the sport calls for it, and you should not step onto the field with loose dental work or oral pain.
Biking, Skating, and Skateboards
Summer often brings bike rides, roller skates, scooters, and skateboards. These activities can end with a hard impact to the mouth if you hit pavement, handlebars, or a curb. Your oral tissues may suffer cuts, bruises, and swelling, especially if your face takes the force of the fall. You can protect yourself by wearing a helmet with proper coverage, keeping your equipment in good condition, and choosing smooth, safe surfaces for your wheeled sports.
Swimming and Water Activities
Pools, lakes, and boats may seem harmless, but they can present real danger to your mouth. A slip on a wet deck or a strike from a board, paddle, or another swimmer can injure your lips, tongue, or gums. You can reduce the chance of injury by avoiding rough play near the pool edge, staying alert in crowded water, and exercising caution on ladders and docks. If you dive or use scuba gear, ask your dentist if existing dental issues could cause pain or tissue stress under pressure.
Hard Snacks and Frozen Treats
Summer snacks can also harm your mouth. Ice, hard candy, popcorn kernels, and tough meats could cut your gums or cheeks and place too much force on your teeth. Frozen treats may also trigger sharp pain if a tooth already has damage. Avoid incidents by chewing with care, being selective about what you eat, and keeping up with a good oral care routine.
Summer should bring fun, not a trip to the oral surgeon! If you take a few smart precautions, you can protect your smile and give your oral tissues a better chance to stay healthy all season.
Meet the Practice
At Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, our four highly skilled doctors have decades of combined experience. We are able to perform a broad range of procedures, and we can often accept urgent cases on a same-day basis. If you would like to learn more about us and how we can help you achieve a healthy smile this summer, contact our Houston office at 713-783-5560.