We talk a lot about what you can do if you already have problems with your teeth, such as getting a dental filling if you have a cavity or having your teeth bonded if you have a chip or crack on the surface of the tooth. However, one thing that we believe is very important to share with you are habits that many people have that can be harming teeth without anyone even realizing what they’re doing to jeopardize their oral health.
With that in mind, we have put together a list of 5 habits that can harm your teeth – and why you should avoid them.
1. Consuming acidic foods and drinks – Although you may love sipping on soda all day long or enjoy sucking an occasional lemon, keep it to a minimum. The acid in these foods and beverages can corrode the enamel of the tooth over time, making the tooth surface weaker, as well as discoloring the teeth. Although you may squeeze lemons in your hair during the summer to lighten it, don’t think that sucking on some lemons will whiten them! If you’re looking for brighter and whiter teeth, skip the lemons and other acidic foods and opt for a laser tooth whitening procedure instead.
2. Biting on hard objects – If you like to chew on ice, often nibble on a pencil while you’re immersed in deep thought or tend to bite your nails when you are nervous, you may be doing more harm to your teeth than you think. Biting on any type of hard object can cause teeth to chip or crack or can wear down the enamel on the surface of the tooth. If you’ve had any type of cosmetic dental work done, such as cosmetic bonding or porcelain veneers, you’re especially vulnerable to chipping or cracking tooth surfaces that you’ve spent a good deal of money on to fix already problem teeth. So, try to be cognizant of what you put in your mouth and avoid chewing on any hard non-food items (and edible items) to protect your pearly whites.
3. Grinding teeth – Many people grind their teeth without even realizing they are doing it. Tooth grinding often occurs during sleep or when a person is excessively stressed. If you are aware that you are grinding your teeth, look into getting a night guard for your teeth to avoid possible tooth damage. Routine grinding can damage dental work like dental fillings or dental bridges and can also weaken areas of the teeth causing microfractures which can result in decay, cracks and chips.
4. Overzealously cleaning teeth – Of course, it’s important to brush and floss your teeth. But if you brush too hard, you can actually do more harm than good. Excessive brushing can wear down the enamel on the surface of teeth and can also make teeth more sensitive to hot and cold. You can also irritate your gums, which can lead to periodontal problems. It is best to use a soft bristle brush and make sure that although you are thoroughly hitting all angles of your teeth, you are not pressing too hard or too long in any one place.
5. Using teeth as tools – We sometimes assume that our teeth are a good substitute for scissors, knives, bottle openers or other tools, but this is a bad assumption. If you need to rip a tag off a piece of clothing, open a bag or even loosen a cap on a bottle, find something other than your teeth to do it. A cracked or chip tooth may result in the need for major dental work, such as cosmetic bonding, porcelain veneers or even dental extraction if you do major damage to the tooth in the process.
For more information about avoiding potential risks to your teeth, contact Park Dental Care at 718-274-1515.
