Maintaining a healthy smile involves more than just regular brushing and flossing. At the Addison Dentist, we see many patients who unknowingly engage in habits that can damage their teeth over time. Here are some of the top habits to avoid in order to protect your pearly whites.
1. Chewing on hard foods
We’re looking at you Beef jerky and hard candy.
2. Chewing on hard objects
This includes fingernails, pencils, pen caps, and ice.
3. Grinding your teeth
If you grind your teeth, consult with your dentist. An appliance can guard your smile.
4. Eating too much sticky food
Gummy candy, dried fruit, and even protein bars can break teeth.
5. Drinking anything besides water frequently
If your teeth are bathed in soda (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks consistently, you are asking for dental troubles.
6. Playing sports without a mouthguard
Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Most little ones are required to wear a protective mouthguard on the playing field. But fewer adults wear mouthguards for recreational activities like mountain biking and skiing. Stock types are ready-made and rarely fit well. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the cheap boil-and-bite type.
7. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
A hard-bristled toothbrush can weaken teeth and cause gums to pull away. Remove food bits and plaque with a soft (or extra-soft) toothbrush.
8. Ignoring dry mouth
Saliva is important. Saliva is necessary to neutralize acids and rinse bits of food off of teeth. It also helps clean the teeth of leftover food bits, helping to prevent plaque buildup. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, can lead to cavities. Talk to your dentist if you have dry mouth regularly.
9. Using teeth as tools
Use scissors to open a string cheese or pry the lid of a medicine bottle. Use a nutcracker if you are eating unshelled nuts. A quality dental crown can cost over eight hundred dollars.
10. Ignoring bad breath
Bad breath is often caused by bacteria build-up in the mouth. It might be a symptom of accelerating cavities. Discuss it with your dentist. (Don’t be embarrassed. We treat bad breath all the time.)
11. Ignoring jaw pain
If you suffer from jaw pain or notice a clicking sound, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist right away! These symptoms can be signs of a serious condition called temporomandibular disorder or TMD.
Is it too late? Have you already broken or chipped a tooth? We can repair it at The Addison Dentist. There are a number of restorative and cosmetic dental treatments for chipped or cracked teeth.
Contact The Addison Dentist:
469-998-2515
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
4145 Belt Line Rd Ste 208
Addison, Texas
75001