Don’t Forget the Chapstick

During the summer, there is always an increase in the use of sunscreen to protect our skin from the harmful rays of the sun, especially here in Flower Mound, Texas, where there is certainly no shortage of sun.

However, there is another product just as important as sunscreen that many people seem to forget, and that’s chapstick.

Staying hydrated in the summer can be a challenge, especially since we all tend to be more active and play outside more, typically in the water if kids are involved.

Unfortunately, if we’re playing in or around water, we forget to drink enough to keep ourselves properly hydrated, and it can cause serious health problems. But another issue with playing outside in the sun, and dehydration, is that we forget to use chapstick.

When kids come to the office to have any dental work done, it can be a painful process if their dry, chapped lips won’t stretch without cracking which is why every child that comes in for dental work receives a small chapstick of their own to take home..

Children tend to pick at the dry skin of their chapped lips, which creates sores and can potentially lead to other health issues like staph infections.

When looking for chapstick for your kids, try to stay away from “gloss,” which tends to be a little sugary, and any chapsticks that contain petroleum, which can, in fact, make their lips worse by drying them out even more, creating a vicious cycle.

Here are a few natural ingredients we recommend you look for in lip balms for your little ones:

  • Jojoba – This fairly inexpensive ingredient imitates the natural oil (sebum) our skin produces and leaves a non-greasy, smooth feel that is absorbed quickly.
  • Coconut oil – This wonderful antioxidant contains vitamin E, which is essential for keeping our skin healthy.
  • Beeswax – With healing and antiseptic properties, it is less sticky than petroleum and is completely safe and nontoxic.
  • Calendula oil – Antifungal, antimicrobial, and an anti-inflammatory, this oil is great for more than just lips.

So make sure your kids are properly hydrated with plenty of water, have an ample supply of sunscreen, and keep those lips hydrated with a good chapstick!

A Healthy Mouth Is a Happy Mouth!

~Dr. Duffy

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Our office was hit hard by water damage from a burst pipe. We're working hard on getting our services back online ASAP. We'll be contacting families next week to schedule appointments.
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