You probably already know that not brushing your teeth and not flossing regularly can cause dental problems. Well, that is absolutely true, but those are not the only ways you can get into trouble with your oral health.
From binge eating snacks and foods that can crack your teeth to smoking, here are five other things that can damage your teeth in little to no time. If you’re serious about proper oral care, you don’t want to do these five things!
1. Smoking
Smoking poses a lot of danger to not only your oral health, but also the health of your entire body. Some of the common problems that can arise from smoking include having your teeth stained or darkened; problems with your gums, including an increased risk of gum disease and tooth loss; and even a risk of mouth cancer.
2. Chewing ice
Just like eating hard, crunchy candies and foods can crack your teeth, ice can also easily do the same damage. For proper tooth care, you may want to replace this habit with a sugarless gum instead. In fact, sugarless gum has even been shown to help prevent cavities.
3. Using teeth as tools
People use their teeth like scissors to rip packages apart or to open hard-to-grip tops, but this common habit can severely damage your teeth over time. Why not just use your scissors and save yourself the risk of breaking or fracturing one of your teeth?
4. Binge eating foods that can crack your teeth
Common examples of foods that can damage your teeth include treats and sweets such as frozen candy, hard or stale bread, almonds, protein bars, un-popped popcorn kernels, ribs, and even chicken wings. Reduce your consumption of these to keep your teeth safe, or at the very least be very careful while indulging in these foods.
5. Skipping routine dental maintenance
Perhaps you’re the type who doesn’t visit the dentist until a really serious problem shows up. If it’s been awhile since your last visit, you’re better off visiting us as soon as possible. Aside from helping to keep your teeth protected from damage, this may be the difference between having to deal with a minor issue or a major oral health challenge.
For more information on teeth care, oral health and how we can help you, schedule a visit or contact us today at 425-320-0702.
