Did you know the sun can impact your oral health? To mitigate the negative effects of sun exposure, you should incorporate sun protection into your daily oral hygiene routines.
Sun protection is commonly associated with safeguarding our skin from harmful ultraviolet radiation, but it is also essential to recognise the potential impact of the sun on our oral health. Like our skin, excessive sun exposure can be very harmful to the mouth and teeth, so what can we do to protect our mouths?
Stay Hydrated
If you spend lots of time outdoors and don’t drink enough water, you might become dehydrated. This can lead to dry mouth.
Dry mouth provides the perfect environment for your mouth to accumulate bacteria, as there isn’t enough liquid to wash them away. The result could be gum disease and cavities, so it is a good idea to sip on water throughout the day.
Protect Your Lips
The skin is not the only part of the body that can be damaged by the sun; the lips, often forgotten about, are also susceptible to sunburn. When the lips become sunburned, they can become dry cracked, and painful. This not only makes it difficult to speak, eat and drink, but it can also lead to bacterial infections.
Before going outside, it is good to apply a lip balm with SPF. Those listed as SPF of at least 15 are the best option.
Stay Sun Smart
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat or using an umbrella when spending extended periods of time outdoors can provide shade and reduce direct sun exposure to the face and lips.
To mitigate the negative effects of sun exposure on oral health, individuals can incorporate sun protection into their daily oral hygiene routines.
Speak to the Team
If you have any further questions, please speak to the team at Smile Place Dental.
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