5 Tips for Protecting Your Lips from The Sun

When most people think about their oral health, their teeth and gums are the first things to come to mind. However, oral health constitutes your whole mouth—including your lips! This means that serious problems can develop if you neglect to protect and take care of your lips in addition to the rest of your mouth. Here are some tips from your dentist in Owings Mills to help you protect your lips from the sun.

1. Limit Your Time in the Sun

Your lips are just as vulnerable to the sun’s radiation as the rest of your body, which can lead to serious problems like oral cancer if you aren’t careful. You should try to limit your time in the sun because of this, especially during the summertime. The skin of your lips is thinner and contains less melanin, meaning it can’t protect itself from the sun. It’s entirely up to you!

2. Cover Your Head to Protect Your Lips

Sometimes it’s impossible to avoid being outside when the sun is shining brightly, but that doesn’t mean protecting yourself is impossible. You can wear a wide-brimmed hat, baseball cap, or sun hat to cast shade over your face and lips. In doing so, you’re shielding your lips from the sun’s rays, protecting your face’s sensitive skin, and keeping your head cool, all at once!

3. Use an SPF Lip Balm

One of the best things you can do for your lips is to use a moisturizing SPF lip balm every two hours while you’re outside in the sun. SPF lip balms typically vary from SPF 15 to SPF 30, which can filter out between 93% and 97% of the sun’s harmful UVB rays respectively, per the American Cancer Society. This can also help to prevent your lips from becoming dry and chapped.

4. Stay Hydrated

Water is the absolute best beverage for your whole body, including your mouth! Drinking water will keep you and your mouth hydrated, while assisting in keeping your lips moisturized.

5. Treat Sunburns Immediately

Your lips can become sunburned just like the rest of you. When this happens, it can have quite an impact on your oral health as well as your ability to keep your mouth clean. If your lips become sunburned, you can apply 100% aloe vera or another moisturizer, but avoid anything with petroleum. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories can also help, but most sunburns should only last for a few days. Talk to your dentist if it doesn’t improve.

Neglecting to take care of your lips can be hazardous for your oral health, even if you’re diligent about things like brushing and flossing! Ensure that your whole mouth is safeguarded and follow these tips to protect your lips from the sun.

About the Practice

Dolfield Dental of Owings Mills is proud to serve patients and families in the area under the leadership of Dr. Jacob Milner and Dr. Cynthia Miller! Dr. Milner and Dr. Miller have several combined years of experience and expertise in a wide variety of fields and their practice offers many different services including preventive, restorative, cosmetic dentistry and more. If you’d like to schedule a visit, feel free to contact the practice’s website or give them a call: (410) 902-4110.