There are lots of habits that can damage your teeth. Some cause stained teeth and others can cause chipped teeth, cracked teeth or can even cause missing teeth.
For healthy teeth, quit or cut down on the following ‘bad teeth habits’ for the New Year.
Chewing on Ice
It’s natural and sugar free, so you might think ice is harmless. But chewing on hard, frozen cubes can chip or even crack your teeth. And this could also irritate the soft tissue inside a tooth so regular toothaches may follow.
Playing Sports Without a Mouth Guard
If you play any contact sport, don't play without a mouth guard. Without it, your teeth could get chipped or even knocked out when the action gets rough.
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.
Grinding Teeth
Teeth grinding, can wear teeth down over time. Wearing a mouth guard at night can prevent grinding while sleeping.
Gummy Candy
All sugary treats promote tooth decay, but some candies are harder to bear. Gummies stick in the teeth, keeping the sugar and resulting acids in contact with your enamel for hours.
Soda
Sodas can have up to 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving. Soda 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.
Chewing on Pencils
Many people chew on their pencil when they are concentrating on work. This habit can caused chipped or cracked teeth. Sugarless gum is a better option when you feel the need to chew.
Drinking Coffee
Coffee's dark color and acidity can cause yellowing of the teeth over time. Fortunately, it's one of the easiest stains to treat with various whitening methods. Talk to your dentist if you're interested in teeth whitening.
Smoking
Cigarettes and other tobacco products can stain teeth and cause them to fall out as a result of gum disease. Tobacco can also cause cancer of the mouth, lips, and tongue.
Drinking Red and White Wine
The acids in wine eat away at tooth enamel, creating rough spots that make teeth more porous and vulnerable. Porous teeth are susceptible to staining. Red wine also contains a deep pigment called chromogen and tannins, which help the color stick to the teeth.
For information on dental health, teeth whitening, or dental veneers contact Oyster Point Dentistry.
WebMD
