Your Summer Smile Guide: Oral Care Tips for Travel & More 

Whether you're on the road for a summer travel baseball league, gearing up for the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, or attending a summer fair, this is a season for fun and activity. However, it’s also a season when oral hygiene can slip without us realizing it. 

At Jackson Dental, we want to help you and your family enjoy summer while keeping your smiles healthy. Here are four key areas where a little preparation and know-how can make all the difference.

1. Oral Care on the Go: Packing Smart for Summer Travel 

When you’re living out of a suitcase or dashing from one event to another, it’s easy to skip steps in your oral care routine. But small adjustments can keep things on track: 

  • Travel dental kits are worth their weight in gold. Stock a small pouch with a travel-size toothbrush, toothpaste, floss picks, and a reusable water bottle. These essentials help prevent plaque buildup and bad breath during long days of travel.  
    Tip: If you already have a toothbrush and toothpaste you keep at home, save your toothbrush and toothpaste from your dental maintenance appointment for your travel essentials! 

  • Hydration does more than quench thirst, it supports saliva production. Saliva is your body’s natural defense against tooth decay, helping to neutralize acids and rinse away food particles. Dehydration from heat can lead to dry mouth, increasing the risk of cavities. Keep your favorite water bottle close, and stash a backup in your car so you can refill on the go if you forget it. 

  • Sugar-free gum isn’t just a freshener, it’s functional. Chewing gum with xylitol can reduce cavity-causing bacteria and stimulate saliva. It's a smart option when brushing isn’t immediately possible, such as after snacking on the road. 

  • Ventilated toothbrush cases matter. Sealing your toothbrush in a ziplock bag traps moisture, creating a breeding ground for bacteria. Instead, opt for a ventilated holder that allows airflow and keeps your brush cleaner between uses. 
     

2. Smile-Friendly Summer Snacks 

Summer snacks are often sticky, sugary, and acidic, three things that don’t mix well with your enamel.

Sticky and dried foods, like gummies and raisins, are cavity culprits. These tend to linger in the grooves of molars long after eating. Because they’re harder to rinse away, they feed bacteria longer, which can lead to tooth decay. 

Making smarter choices can prevent both cavities and staining, such as:

  • Cheese

    • Examples: Cheddar, Swiss, Gouda, or Mozzarella with no added sugars

    • Why it’s smile-friendly: Cheese stimulates saliva, which helps wash away food debris and neutralize acids. It also delivers calcium, phosphate, and casein, which support enamel remineralization and help balance mouth pH.

  • Crunchy Fruits and Veggies

    • Examples: Apples, carrots, celery, cucumbers

    • Why they're smile-friendly: Their high water content and fibrous texture help stimulate saliva, scrub away plaque, and neutralize acids naturally.

  • Nuts and Seeds

    • Examples: Almonds, cashews

    • Why they're smile-friendly: Rich in calcium and phosphorus, which help strengthen enamel. They’re also low in sugar and don’t stick to teeth.

  • Protein-Rich Foods

    • Examples: Hard-boiled eggs, turkey slices, hummus

    • Why they're smile-friendly: Many protein-rich snacks are high in phosphorus and other minerals that help rebuild enamel. Unlike sugary snacks, they don’t fuel cavity-causing bacteria, making them a tooth-friendly choice.

3. Protecting Smiles During Outdoor Fun 

From pickup games at the park to weekend baseball leagues, summertime brings more physical activity and more opportunity for dental injury or strain: 

  • Sports drinks aren’t always team players. Many are acidic and loaded with sugar, which weakens enamel and feeds bacteria. If you do use electrolyte drinks, rinse with water afterward or consume them with meals instead of sipping throughout the day. 

4. Festival Favorites: What to Watch Out For 

Between grilled goodies, red slushies, and sweet teas, summer celebrations can be a perfect storm for your teeth. Here’s how to enjoy them without regret: 

  • Colorful treats can lead to colorful teeth. Brightly pigmented foods (like popsicles, candy, and barbecue sauce) can temporarily stain enamel, especially if you’re already prone to discoloration. Rinsing with water after eating helps reduce the impact. 

  • Acidic foods soften enamel, so brushing right after isn’t ideal. Every time we eat sugar, our mouth becomes more acidic for about 20–30 minutes. Constant snacking increases the risk for decay. A simple rinse with plain water after meals can help dilute acids, rinse away sugars, and buy your enamel time to recover.

Whether you're scheduling your next dental appointment or visiting from out of town and need emergency care, we offer all services in-house for a quick, seamless experience.