It’s barbecue season. A great time to celebrate with friends or family, a barbecue is a wonderful summertime event. But this type of dining can pose a couple dental hygiene problems. There are really two main barbecue culprits as far as your teeth are concerned –

Barbecue sauce stains: The spices and ingredients in most barbecue sauces are major teeth stainers. The dark color of the sauce stains on its own, and because the sauce is sticky, it’s much more likely to linger on your enamel until you brush.

Meat stuck between your teeth: Barbecue meat, especially ribs, definitely get stuck between your teeth, sometimes in really tight spaces. Not only can this be annoying to feel, it can lead to plaque buildup the longer it sticks to your tooth enamel.

So what’s the solution? Everyone should be able to enjoy barbecue this summer, so consider the following tips for dealing with the issues above –

how-to-protect-your-teeth-at-barbecues
  • Drink water: Drinking water or swishing water in your mouth rinses away a lot of the sauce, preventing it from sitting on your teeth where it can cause stains and plaque.
  • Brush your teeth: We realize this one might not be so convenient when you’re celebrating at a barbecue, so we recommend swishing with water if you are unable to brush your teeth. If you can brush, doing so will remove the sauce from your enamel.
  • Floss: If you get food stuck between your teeth, the best way to remove it is with floss or floss picks. Consider stepping away from the party for a moment to get the decay inducing pieces of meat from out of your teeth so you can go back and smile with confidence.
  • Eat the celery and carrots: Most barbecues have some assortment of fresh vegetables. Eat these along with your meat so that the crunchy veggies can carry away some of the food stuck between your teeth.

The best way to feel confident about your smile this summer may be to get teeth whitening treatment or another type of cosmetic dentistry that fits your goals. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you just can’t prevent all the staining from foods and beverages, and professional whitening may be needed to restore bright, white teeth.

To schedule a consultation to learn more about your teeth enhancement options, please call DeWitt Dental Associates at 303-321-5656.