Caring for your teeth in summer: the most useful tips to minimize the effects of heat and a diet high in sugar.

The combination of heat , a diet rich in sugars , and less rigorous oral hygiene can lead to cavities, sensitivity, inflammation, and mucosal lesions, especially if certain preventive measures aren't followed, according to Eva Lago, an expert on the Sanitas Dental healthcare team. The professional, along with nutritionist Natalia Galán, has compiled a list of tips for maintaining good oral health in the summer .

During the summer, it's "common" to relax our routine and increase our consumption of sugary drinks, acidic foods, and snacks between meals, the expert points out. Added to the fact that many people neglect brushing, especially when traveling or during busy leisure time, this translates into "an increased risk of enamel demineralization, gum inflammation, or the development of cavities."

Furthermore, heat reduces saliva production , the natural mechanism that helps neutralize acids and clean tooth surfaces, the expert explains. With a drier environment in the mouth, the bacteria responsible for plaque proliferate more easily , particularly after consuming citrus fruits, industrial ice cream, or carbonated soft drinks. In this sense, dental erosion doesn't always cause immediate discomfort, but it can lead to chronic sensitivity or structural damage if not detected early, she points out.

On the other hand, Lago warns that biting on very cold foods , such as ice or popsicles, can cause acute discomfort in teeth that are previously damaged or have receding gums. Meanwhile, crunchy foods , such as toast or pizza crusts, increase the risk of cracked fillings or fractures in restored teeth if they are not properly broken.

Likewise, Natalia Galán, nutritionist at Blua de Sanitas, points out that summer often brings an excess of simple sugars and a lower intake of fiber and quality proteins, which also impacts teeth and gums. "A diet low in micronutrients compromises gum health and reduces the immune system's defenses against oral infections."

Tips for taking care of your teeth

Given this situation, Sanitas experts advise maintaining constant hydration to stimulate saliva production; eating regularly, avoiding snacks and, especially, sweet or acidic foods; opting for low-acid fruits, sugar-free dairy products, and soft nuts; avoiding biting ice or excessively hard foods; strengthening dental hygiene; limiting alcohol consumption, which reduces salivation and irritates the gums; and scheduling an oral checkup before or after summer to detect early cavities, inflammation, or lesions resulting from changes in habits and to take timely action.