Summer dental care: 7 tips to protect your teeth and smile!

Summer comes and along with it so do the spontaneous plans: trips away, impromptu dinners in the sun and regular trips to the best ice cream spots in town.

We've got 7 tips for summer dental care so you can enjoy yourself this summer while still keeping your oral health routine in check. 

We've got 7 simple steps to help you, so keep scrolling and add this page to your favourites! You're welcome! 😁

Tip 1 - Use the simple rule of 3 to keep up your teeth cleaning routine

• Brush 3 times a day (carry a little toothbrush travel kit with you in the bag–great for last-minute meet-ups, or dates)
• Brush for 3 minutes, and don't skip the sugar buildup at the back of your teeth (we see you 3 flavour savour).
• Wait at least 3 minutes after eating before giving your teeth a clean. Especially after alcohol, or acidic food and drink.

Tip 2 - Hydrate all day, to keep bacteria at bay

Water is the best source of hydration for you, and your body will only thank you for it. Drinking water helps prevent dry mouth, eliminates food residue and stimulates the production of saliva to maintain that perfect healthy home for good bacteria, keeping plaque at bay.

Tip 3 - Fruit and vegetables give your teeth and body vital nutrients

Summer is the time of year when we most want to eat light, fresh fruit and vegetables can help with the heat, and, what's more, they’re good for our oral health and our general health.

There are fruits, such as melon, which, being rich in water, are good for keeping our mouths hydrated, and others, such as apples, which can help clean our teeth in a pinch.

Tip 4 - Set limits on sweet treats to avoid cavities

Summer is eternally the season of sweet and satisfying treats to keep you cool, but it's really important to set limits on the sweet intake upfront. Particularly with kids who can indulge all day, then have a sugar crash and fall asleep before brushing their teeth. Unbrushed teeth are a recipe for fillings and tooth decay, so hold back on the sweets late in the day.

Tip 5 - Book a back to school dental check

If you care for young children (or if you want to get ahead of any dental issues that may arise from summer indulgence), book a post-summer check-up with your regular dentist for the end of summer, so you can get a cleaning, polish, or assessment on any orthodontic devices you might be using.

Tip 6 - Avoid using your teeth as tools

Why not pop a travel-size bottle opener in your beach bag so you can avoid the possibility of cracked teeth when trying to open the beers? Using your teeth to open anything can cause fractures, cracks and costly repairs. 

Tip 7 - Don't forgot to protect your teeth

Sports in the sun are a great idea to stay active, but don't forget to protect your teeth if playing a sport that can leave you open to accidents and a ball in the mouth. A custom-made mouthguard is great for contact sports. Ask your regular dentist to help, or ensure you have your Impress aligner in place if you're currently going through teeth straightening.

Consequences of neglecting your oral health over the summer

Amongst the most common problems that can result from neglecting the teeth are plaque and tartar build-up.

Tartar build-up on the teeth, besides being very unsightly, can damage the gums. This is why, at the end of the summer, gums tend to be more inflamed and sensitive. The cold temperature of an ice cream or the ice in a drink can bother our teeth, for example.

Another consequence of neglecting your dental care routine during the summer is bad breath. We tend to think that this is due to a change in diet, which may be the case, but it is also caused by the accumulation of bacterial plaque.

Avoid long-term exposure to chlorine

The last bonus dental tip to help you care for and protect your teeth this summer is probably the most unknown: be careful with chlorine, it can be harmful to our teeth.

Chlorine is a chemical that is added to water to protect us from infections, but it can damage our skin and teeth. Chlorine, for example, causes so-called swimmer’s tartar, which is a reaction in the form of yellowish or brownish stains that usually appear on the front teeth. The solution is to rinse your mouth thoroughly after every swim and not to expose yourself to chlorine for overly long periods of time.

Want a discreet straightening treatment this summer? Try Impress orthodontics

Dental aligners are the perfect orthodontic treatment for the summer. No one will notice you’re wearing them, and they won’t bother you when it comes to enjoying food and drink.

You can also monitor your treatment via our app wherever you are, without the need to visit our clinics, but always with the support of our medical team, who have over 15 years of experience. Additionally, if you spend your holidays abroad and need to visit a clinic whilst away, we make it easy for you: we have over 110 clinics in 10 countries around the world.

If you’re interested in finding out what Impress can do for your smile, visit your nearest Impress clinic. You can also book an appointment online, by phone on +44 20 3808 1072, or via WhatsApp.

Updated: June 2025