Lots of heat means taking lots of precautions.

The scorching summer has been upon us for some time now, especially for us in and around the Phoenix area. Be extremely cautious with children playing outdoors in the heat. Of course have plenty of water on hand, but also make sure they take more breaks than they normally would; about every 20 minutes. Taking more frequent breaks is vital when playing in high heat.  Bring dry clothes for them to change into once done playing. Keep your kids as comfortable as you can. Wouldn’t you want to be? Of course don’t forget the sunscreen. Sunscreen is for any time you will be in the sun, not just summer time. The sun gives off invisible rays of ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet B (UVB) rays are short, high-energy wavelengths that are absorbed by the outermost layer of the skin, or the epidermis. Sunscreen protects you from these harmful rays. Sunscreens are rated according to their effectiveness by the sun protection factor (SPF). Basically, a product's SPF number helps decide how long you can stay in the sun before you will start to burn. To increase your protection, a good idea would be to wear a hat, a three inch brim is suggested, bill facing forward. Wearing light colored clothing helps too. Limit time in the sun as well, especially between the hours of ten and two pm, when the sun’s rays are most extreme. Too much exposure to the sun can cause suffering and even permanent damage if the right precautions are not taken. Keep your skin healthy and let us take care of your teeth. Our Mesa dental clinic can brighten that smile to go along with your glowing skin. Be careful out there and have a great rest of your summer.