There are a lot of things we do every single day that we know are bad for us. Smoking, sitting for hours at a time, munching on potato chips, to name a few. Yet there are just as many bad habits that harm our teeth. Continue reading as a dentist describes 5 things that we do every day that can hurt your pearly whites.
Falling
If you’ve never taken an accidental tumble and damaged one of your pearly whites, count yourself lucky. The rest of us may have chipped a tooth falling and had to sit in the dental chair for a while learning about direct bonding, porcelain veneers, or crowns to correct our broken teeth. Take extra care when walking to protect your pearly whites form injury.
Not Wearing a Mouthguard
Many of us who play sports don’t wear the proper protection, and that goes for more than helmets. If you play contact sports, you should be wearing a mouthguard, or a tray worn over the teeth to protect them from harmful contact during physical activity. You can find them at most sporting good store or pharmacies, but it’s well worth it to get a custom-fit one from your dentist. Since it fits more snugly over your teeth, it will provide better protection.
Biting Hard Foods
It can be tempting to chow down on things like hard candy or popcorn kernels, but doing so can result in broken or chipped teeth. Also, avoid chewing on ice or fingernails. Those habits can wear down your enamel and leave you more susceptible to sensitivity and tooth decay.
Using Teeth as Tools
Your teeth should pretty much just be used for chewing only. Don’t try to use it to open bottle or packaging, or hold bags when your hands aren’t enough. It’s worth it to grab an opening tool or make another trip to carry the groceries. Using your teeth as tools can lead to them chipping, shattering, or even falling out. Just because you can use your teeth to open or hold things doesn’t mean you should.
Consuming Staining Foods and Drinks
Certain items that we eat and drink every day can lead to discoloration or stains on your teeth. Some of the biggest offenders include:
- Black teas
- Deeply colored sauces like curry, soy, and tomato
- Coffee
- Wine (red and white)
- Colored sodas
- Tobacco
- Dark fruits and vegetables like berries and beets
A good rule of thumb to remember is that if it can stain fabric, it can leave behind stains on your teeth as well. Make sure to rise your mouth with water or, better yet, brush your teeth immediately after consuming the staining item.
There are a lot of everyday activities that have the potential to harm our pearly whites. Stick the advice mentioned above and you should save them from some serious damage.
About the Author
Dr. Krunal Patel has more than a decade of experience in the dental field under his belt, ever since he graduated with his initial dental degree in India in 2009. In 2014, he obtained his doctorate from the prestigious NYU College of Dentistry to further hone his skills. He is a proud member of the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association. To learn more about how to take care of your pearly whites, click here to contact Dr. Patel.
