Having a healthy smile is something that we all like to have. We try so hard to take care of teeth, by brushing and flossing them every day. There are a lot of things that we do which can actually cause a lot of harm to our teeth.
CHEWING ON ICE
A lot of people enjoy chewing on ice. The idea is that since it is just frozen water there can’t be anything really bad about it. But, that is not the case. Chewing on frozen ice can actually cause your teeth to chip or crack.
NO MOUTH GUARD
When you are playing sports, especially contact sports, you can suffer a lot of injury to your teeth. If you get hit in the face, you even run the risk of losing a tooth.
TONGUE PIERCINGS
While having a tongue piercing may be cool, it can actually cause damage to your teeth. Biting down on metal can crack your teeth. The piercing can also rub against your gums causing gum damage. With the metal in your mouth, you are also more susceptible to infections and sores due to bacteria.
TEETH GRINDING
If you grind your teeth, they can become worn down. If you do suffer from grinding your teeth, you should wear a mouth guard at night to help from damage that can be done while sleeping.
BE AWARE OF COUGH DROPS
While cough drops are great for helping with a sore throat, they are also full of sugar. Sugar is not good for your teeth and can cause plaque build up on your teeth. If you are going to suck on cough drops, be sure to brush afterwards.
AVOID GUMMY CANDY
While sugar is not the best for your teeth, some sugary foods are actually worse. Gummy candies, while delicious, can stick to your teeth. When they stick to your teeth, they could be on there for hours before it can come off. Be sure to brush after you eat gummy candies.
SODA
Soda can actually do a lot of damage to your teeth. Sodas are filled with sugar and phosphoric and citric acids. The acids in sugar can actually wear away at your enamel.
OPENING THINGS WITH YOUR TEETH
Your teeth are not opening tools. When you use your teeth to open different things, then you can actually be causing more damage to your teeth. Opening things can cause your teeth to chip or crack.
There are many things that have an effect on your teeth. You should do what you can to make sure that you are taking care of your teeth. Once you lose your teeth you cannot get them back. If you need help getting your teeth on track, then call Dr. Hadley—your Las Vegas dentist—today.