Ready for Summer? Tips for Protecting Your Smile

Summer is thankfully just around the corner; we've been fortunate to have already had some very nice weather here in Toronto this Spring.

But, before we dive into our fun-in-the-sun, it's important to take a moment to think about the importance of your oral health throughout the summertime, focusing specifically on sunlight and Vitamin D on your oral health.

Some Vitamin D Facts

  • Vitamin D is important for supporting strong teeth and bones, and one of the best sources of it is actual sunlight.
  • Exposure to sunlight helps your body produce Vitamin D, which is beneficial for your overall health, including your teeth.
  • Extensive research has shown that Vitamin D can even help prevent tooth decay and gum disease, as well as promote healthy teeth and gums.

Be Careful of Too Much Exposure

  • Excessive sun exposure can cause a lot of harm! Overexposure to sunlight can seriously damage your lips, causing them to become dry, cracked, and even sunburned. It also takes lips a very long time to recover once damaged, causing ongoing discomfort until they have healed.
  • Actinic cheilitis is a pre-cancerous condition that affects the lips, often caused by prolonged exposure to sunlight. It is also known as "farmer's lip" or "sailor's lip," as it commonly affects those who work outdoors or spend a lot of time on the water.

How to protect yourself

To protect your lips from the harmful effects of the sun, we recommend applying a lip balm with sunscreen whenever you're outside for an extended period of time. This will help protect your lips from the sun's harmful UV rays, preventing sunburn and reducing the risk of long-term damage. Enjoy the beautiful weather and the benefits of Vitamin D from the sun but take precautions to protect your lips from overexposure to sunlight, and be mindful of your exposure time when enjoying your fun in the sun.

If you have any questions about your oral health or would like to request an appointment online, please don't hesitate to contact us.