Chewing on Ice
It’s natural and sugar free, so you
might think ice is harmless. But munching on hard, frozen cubes can chip or
even crack your teeth. And if your mindless chomping irritates the soft tissue
inside a tooth, regular toothaches may follow. Hot foods and cold foods may
trigger quick, sharp jabs of pain or a lingering toothache. Next time you get
the urge for ice, chew some sugarless gum.
Playing Sports with No Mouth Guard
Whether you play football, hockey, or
any other contact sport, don’t get in the game without a mouth guard. This is a
piece of molded plastic that protects the upper row of teeth. Without it, your
teeth could get chipped or even knocked out when the action gets rough.
Self-fitting mouth guards may be purchased at a store, or you can have one
custom made by your dentist.
Opening Stuff with Your Teeth
Opening bottle caps or plastic
packaging with your teeth may be convenient, but this is one habit that makes
dentists cringe. Using your teeth as tools can cause them to crack or chip.
Instead, keep scissors and bottle openers handy. Bottom line, your teeth should
only be used for eating.
Soda
Candy isn’t the only culprit when it
comes to added sugar. Sodas can have up to 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving.
To add insult to injury, sodas also contain phosphoric and citric acids, which
eat away at tooth enamel. Diet soft drinks let you skip the sugar, but they may
have even more acid in the form of the artificial sweeteners.
Tongue Piercings
Tongue piercings may be trendy, but
biting down on the metal stud can crack a tooth. Lip piercings pose a similar
risk. And when metal rubs against the gums, it can cause gum damage that may
lead to tooth loss. The mouth is also a haven for bacteria, so piercings raise
the risk of infections and sores. Bottom line, discuss the health risks with
your dentist first.
Grinding Teeth
Teeth grinding, or bruxism, can wear
teeth down over time. It is most often caused by stress and sleeping habits.
This makes it hard to control. Avoiding hard foods during the day can reduce
pain and damage from this habit. Wearing a mouth guard at night can prevent
grinding while sleeping.
Source: WebMD.com
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