If you regularly brush, floss, and visit the dentist, you would think that your teeth would stay perfectly white and intact, right? Unfortunately, even the best-laid plans can go awry sometimes, thanks to everyday activities that harm your teeth. Let’s take a closer look at 6 everyday activities that could harm your teeth.
Falling
If you’re clumsy, you probably have already dealt with the consequences, whether they’re dental or not. Make sure to watch your step wherever you go to save your pearly whites from chipping or being knocked out. Although this is important if you’re just walking, it’s also crucial if you’re cycling. If you hit a pothole and go flying, there’s no telling what kind of dental damage could be done.
Face Trauma
Except for the occasional accident, facial trauma most often happens during sports. That’s why it’s massively important to wear a mouthguard during any kind of physical activity where something hard, including the ground, could impact your teeth. Get one from your dentist and not from the sporting goods store. They can be custom fitted to match your unique bite, providing better protection and making them much more comfortable.
Chewing Mishaps
When you’re eating very crunchy or hard things, make sure to use extra precaution so they don’t damage your pearly whites. For example, if you’re chowing down on some popcorn, feel around with your hand to make sure there are no un-popped kernels that could harm your teeth.
Bad Habits
Many of us have bad habits like chewing on ice or our fingernails. However, over time these habits can be detrimental to our teeth by causing breakage. Also, using your teeth to carry or open things is a big no-no.
Piercings
While they may look cool, piercings in your tongue or lip can take a serious toll on your teeth. The metal frequently smashing against your teeth can cause erosion over time, leaving you more vulnerable to tooth decay and sensitivity.
Consuming Staining Foods and Drinks
You may have heard that red wine stains teeth, but that isn’t the only thing that can make your pearly whites not so white anymore. Other foods and drinks that could cause discoloration include:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Sauces like soy, curry, and tomato
- Dark sodas
- Fruits like berries
- Tobacco
If you’re going to consume these things, rinse your mouth out immediately afterwards. In addition, drink coffee, tea, and wine through a straw so that it bypasses the front surfaces of your teeth.
There are a lot of everyday things that hurt your teeth that you don’t think about. For more advice on how to avoid damage from them, talk to your dentist.
About the Practice
At Advanced Smile Design, you’ll enjoy a stress-free environment as you receive the quality dental care you deserve. Drs. Patel and Isdaner are dedicated to providing world-class care using the latest technology that modern dentistry has to offer. If you chip your tooth, we offer fillings and crowns to fix you right up. To book your appointment at our Willow Grove, PA office, click here or call (215) 659-3334.
