Great place and family friendly. Lexie (dental hygienist) was wonderful with my 5 and 3 year old today as she cleaned their teeth. Wendy (receptionist) was so kind to my kids and helped keep them entertained as I got my teeth cleaned. I have always had a great experience here and highly recommend going!
Summer brings backyard cookouts, cold lemonade, and ice cream cones on warm evenings. It also brings hidden threats to your teeth that most people never notice until a problem shows up. Protecting smiles in Ames, IA during the summer months takes a little awareness and a few smart habits, but the payoff is worth every effort.
Call Dentistry At Somerset today at 515-337-2244 to schedule a dental checkup.
Sugary Snacks & Your Enamel
Warm weather goes hand in hand with sugary drinks, frozen treats, and sticky snacks. Every time you sip a soda or bite into a popsicle, bacteria in your mouth feed on that sugar and release acids that attack your enamel. Over time, this cycle weakens teeth and opens the door to cavities.
The good news is that you do not have to give up your favorite summer foods. Try pairing sweet treats with a full meal rather than snacking on them throughout the day. This simple shift limits the number of acid attacks your teeth face and keeps your enamel in better shape all season long.
Hydration & Your Oral Health
Not every thirst-quencher treats your teeth kindly. Sports drinks and fruit juices bring acid and sugar to the table simultaneously, wearing down enamel faster than most people expect.
Plain water, particularly fluoridated tap water, does the opposite. It hydrates without the damage and helps keep your mouth in a healthy balance. Summer heat also tends to dry out your mouth as your body loses more fluid through sweat. Saliva is your mouth’s first line of defense against acids and food debris, so keeping your water intake up directly supports that natural protection.
Ice, Corn Cobs, & Hidden Summer Hazards
Summer comes with a few surprising dental hazards that catch people off guard. Chewing on ice might feel refreshing, but it places serious stress on your teeth and can cause cracks or chips. Biting directly into a corn cob is another common culprit behind broken teeth each summer.
Hard candies, popcorn kernels, and frozen fruit bars with seeds also deserve caution. These foods might seem harmless, but they can do real damage if your teeth are not prepared for the impact. Always eat mindfully and pay attention to how your teeth feel after biting into something firm or frozen.
Keep Your Routine Strong All Season Long
Summer schedules get busy, and dental hygiene habits often slip as a result. Fluoride toothpaste and daily flossing are simple tools, but they carry serious weight in preventing tooth damage.
Brush morning and night and make flossing the last thing you do before bed, even after a long summer evening. The practices you stick to when life gets busy are the ones that protect your smile the most.
If you have children, keep their routines on track, too. Kids tend to snack more during summer break, which increases their cavity risk significantly. Make brushing a fun, non-negotiable part of the day and lead by example.
Quick Tips for a Healthy Summer Smile
A few easy habits can make a real difference in how your teeth hold up through the season. Rinse with water after sugary or acidic foods to clear out what brushing cannot catch right away. Reach for a straw when you drink anything acidic to minimize direct contact with your enamel.
If your last cleaning feels like a distant memory, now is the right time to book one. Protecting smiles in Ames takes consistent effort, and a professional cleaning gives your routine a strong foundation to build on.
Call Dentistry at Somerset today at 515-337-2244 for an appointment. You can also request an appointment online. Step into fall feeling confident about your smile.