Keeping Your Teeth Healthy

Five Habits That Can Destroy Your Teeth

Let’s talk about that big bright smile of yours and about how to keep it that way!

Your smile says a lot about you. When you take good care of your teeth, it’s easier to feel confident smiling and laughing. You probably spend some time every day taking good care of your teeth. You brush, you might floss occasionally, and you may use products that strengthen and brighten your teeth.

There are certain habits that can undo all of your hard work and can even destroy your teeth. Knowing what these habits are can help you avoid them, replace them with good dental and oral health habits, and make sure that your smile is always bright and healthy!

Sugary Snacks and Beverages

Sugar is poison, and it’s what causes tooth decay. When it meets up with the bacteria in your mouth, an acid is produced. The result is decay. The acid eats away at your teeth and causes cavities. Coffee drinks with sugar, soda, juice, candy and even dried fruit (which is very high in sugar) are all snacks to stay away from.

Dehydration

When you are dehydrated, your body produces less saliva. Saliva is necessary for a healthy mouth. When you are even a little bit dehydrated, you have less saliva and therefore the bacteria and plaque aren’t being removed from the surface of your teeth. As it sits there, it can cause decay and infection. The solution isn’t just to drink more water but also to avoid things that can cause dehydration. Too much caffeine can cause dehydration, as can alcohol. Make sure you stay healthy and hydrated, but be sure to drink water, green tea or other healthy liquids.

Smoking

Most people avoid or cut back on cigarette smoking because it stains teeth and it causes cancer. However, it’s also harmful to your teeth. Nicotine can cause gum disease and cancer of the lungs, mouth, tongue, and lips. Chewing tobacco is dangerous and bad for your teeth.

Chewing on Non-Food Items

Do you bite your nails? Do you chew on ice or occasionally find yourself chewing on your pen or pencil? These habits can damage your teeth. They weaken the enamel and can cause cracks and chips. Additionally, when you chew on ice the cold makes your teeth particularly vulnerable to cracking and damage.

Brushing Your TeethToo Hard

You know you’re supposed to brush your teeth. However, if you brush them too vigorously, you can actually brush away the surface of your teeth and gums. You may find that your gums recede much faster than they should for your age, and that you’ve damaged the surface of your teeth. Choose a soft-bristled toothbrush and consider a sonic toothbrush to help prevent damage to your teeth when you brush.

Finally, don’t use your teeth as a tool. Your teeth aren’t designed to open bottles or peel wrappers from packages. To take good care of your teeth, brush regularly, floss daily (or better yet, twice daily) and visit your dentist at least twice a year.

Your oral health is vital to your overall health, so take care of those pearly whites!

Make Major Improvements in Your Life!

Cheryl A Major, CNWC