It’s common knowledge that smoking, teeth grinding, and sloppy dental hygiene can negatively impact the health of your mouth,but they’re not the only behaviours that can spell trouble for your teeth and gums. Do you have other habits prompting cavities, oral infections and costly dental repairs? Here are seven things that can ruin your teeth.
1. Using your teeth as tools
Do you tear open bags of potato chips, or twist off bottle caps with your teeth? Using your mouth in lieu of a pair of scissors or a bottle opener might seem like a convenient shortcut, but it could actually land you in the dentist’s chair. “You shouldn’t use your teethto open bottles, or to rip open packages,” says Dr. Euan Swan, manager of dental programs at the Canadian Dental Association. “There’s thepotential to fracture a tooth. If you’re using a back tooth, you could damage a filling orcrown.” Tooth chips, cracks, and fractures cancreate openings for tooth decay to take hold.
In serious cases, a broken tooth may have to be permanently removed, and replaced with adental implant.
2. Tongue, lip or cheek piercings
Facial piercings might be trendy when you’reyounger, but the health concerns that theyspark are not. Swan says that stud or ring piercings can create complications such as infection, bleeding and swelling of the tongue,or nearby tissues. Echoing his concern, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) states onits website that tongue, cheek or lip jewellerycan cause ‘chronic injury to adjacent teeth and mucosa (inside of cheeks, lips, tastebuds), including tooth fracture, and gum recession, which can lead to tooth loss.’Individuals with oral jewellery must be extra careful to avoid the damage that biting apiercing can cause, and should discuss oralmanagement with their dentist.
3. Playing sports without a mouthguard
It’s common to see professional athletes infootball, hockey and boxing wearing mouthguards, but oral protection is alsoimportant for recreational athletes of all ages. “In any sport where you couldpotentially be hit in the face, a mouthguard is a good thing,” says Swan. Different styles of mouth guards are available, ranging from the cheapest option – ‘boil-and-bite’mouthguards that you can make at home with DIY kits – to customized guards created byyour dentist. This version is pricier, but offers an exact fit as well as comfort and protection.
Not sure if you need one? Put your money where your mouth is – the cost of fixing damaged teeth will be considerably higher than the price of a mouthguard.
4. Chewing ice cubes
Crunching ice cubes can chip away at the enamel of your teeth, or cause a tooth to break. And if your mouth is home to several fillings, an icy snack can be even more perilous. “If a tooth has a filling, its strength is compromised to a degree. If you chomp down on ice, you could damage the tooth,”says Swan.
5. Sucking on throat lozenges
When a cold or sore throat strikes, the firstline of defense is often a cough drop, but tossing back lozenges can set you up for toothdecay. Despite being considered medicinal, some cough drops are loaded with sugar. “If you’re continually sucking on lozenges, you’ll have a high level of sugar in your mouth,”says Swan. “Sugary foods contribute to tooth decay.” To spare your smile – and relieve uncomfortable cold symptoms – read theingredient labels on lozenges to find a brand that’s low in sugar.
6. Bleaching your teeth despite irritation
According to the CDA’s website, bleaching your teeth – either at home, or in the dentist’soffice – is a safe way to achieve a bright,white smile, however, science has yet to figureout how much whitening is too much. It’s believed that excessive bleaching could cause tooth pitting and nerve damage, butadditional research is needed to confirm these complications. In the meantime, Swan says that it’s important for users to note that evenwhen bleaching instructions are followed,some irritation of gum tissue, and tooth sensitivity could occur. The key is to stop the bleaching process if these side effects don’tsubside. To lower your risk of further complications, see your dentist for advice onhow to proceed.
7. Brushing immediately after consumingacidic foods
“If you’re consuming food and drink that is acidic (such as orange juice), it can contribute to a softening of tooth structure,” says Swan.
“If you immediately brush your teeth, the abrasion of the toothbrush on the softenedenamel can cause some damage.” To avoidthis risk, Swan recommends waiting about 30minutes before brushing your teeth. This timeframe gives the saliva in your mouth a chanceto wash away lurking food debris and acids.
Can’t wait 30 minutes? Chew sugarless gum.
It will stimulate saliva production, and help freshen your breath until you can brush yourteeth.
Source: BestHealth
