Enjoy National Ice Cream Month While Taking Care of Your Dental Health
While many folks might remember that President Ronald Reagan had a sweet tooth for Jelly Bellies, he also enjoyed ice cream. In fact, in 1984, President Reagan designated July as National Ice Cream Month. He even declared that the third Sunday in July would be National Ice Cream Day. That’s great news for ice cream lovers who are looking for a reason – any reason – to eat ice cream.
Whether you prefer chocolate, vanilla, strawberry, mint, or you prefer it in a cup, a cone, or a mega-sized banana split … you can’t go wrong with ice cream.
But, here’s the scoop! You can go wrong if you don’t brush your teeth after you enjoy your favorite ice cream treat, or any other sweet treat.
Dentists warn that if we don’t brush at least twice a day for two minutes at a time, and floss, we could be asking for big trouble with respect to our oral health.
Our mouth hosts more than 600 types of bacteria. Some bacteria are good and protect our mouth. But, the majority of bacteria can really do damage to our teeth and gums.
Because many of the foods we eat – such as ice cream - are rich in sugars, plaque and tartar can invade our mouth pretty quickly and build up.
Gingivitis is one of the most common oral health issues that can affect us if we don’t maintain good oral hygiene. Gingivitis is an inflammation of the gums brought on by the uncontrolled growth of plaque and tartar. It can cause bleeding and swollen gums, but it’s easy to overlook, because the condition doesn’t cause any pain. And if left untreated, gingivitis can lead to periodontitis, a serious gum disease that can eventually cause tooth loss.
But, the good news is that there’s a simple solution to avoiding most oral health issues … brush your teeth and floss regularly, and visit the dentist at least twice a year for a check-up and professional cleaning.
In the meantime, get outside and enjoy all of the ice cream events, socials and activities. Just don’t forget to brush and floss when you’re done!
What’s your favorite ice cream? Tell us by commenting below.