Keeping teeth healthy is everyone’s top priority. After all, we can only get one set of choppers in our lifetime.
Yet many of us damage our teeth in ways we never thought possible.
Below are some of the leading causes of tooth damage every day.
1. Not drinking enough water
Saliva can have a high ‘bad smell’, but saliva is essential to protect your teeth as it helps remove accumulated debris.
Proper hydration is necessary to maintain the proper amount of saliva. That means drinking enough water.
On the website of The Gorman Center for Fine Dentistry in North Oaks, Minnesota: Dr. Steve Gorman writes::
“It is important to stay well hydrated to maintain a proper body chemical balance, especially during the hot summer months. problems, and can lead to tooth decay.
Drinking more water also helps wash away stains from your teeth.
2. Incorrect flossing
Improper flossing is probably better than no flossing at all.
According to Dr. Rodney L. Allen, a Parker, Colorado-based dentist, common flossing mistakes include:
- Using floss after brushing is not as effective at reducing plaque between teeth as flossing first
- I can’t clean all my teeth.This is best accomplished by turning the floss into a “C” shape and sliding it up and down the entire length of the teeth on all sides
- Helps remove additional bacteria by not pushing 2-3mm below the gum line
3. Drink coffee or juice
drinking too much coffee, juice or wine These liquids are acidic and can be bad for your teeth.
Drink that morning’s cup of joe. According to research, Coffee increases the risk of tooth decay Adding cream and sugar to your coffee can make the situation even worse.
According to Valley Dentist of Belchertown, Massachusetts,
“When that acidity is combined with the loss of enamel, it makes you see more yellowish dentin. As a result, your teeth don’t look as white, which can negatively affect your self-esteem.”
4. Using the wrong brushing technique
Unfortunately, improper brushing techniques are all too common.
San Pablo Smiles Family Dentistry in San Pablo, California Correct brushing methodinclude:
- Choose a brush with soft bristles that are gentle on teeth and gums
- Holding the brush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth helps clean the gum line
- Make short, circular strokes with the goal of “massaging your teeth without rubbing them”.
- spend at least two minutes doing a thorough job
5. Chew ice
chew ice It sounds harmless, but it’s a habit, albeit somewhat irritating.
“Chewing ice causes your teeth to rapidly cool and heat up in a repeated cycle, which causes the enamel to expand and contract, most often resulting in microfractures on the tooth surface.
Over time, microfractures can turn into large fractures. As a result, sensitivities, pain, and infections can occur. It can also wear down the enamel of your teeth.
6. Nail biting
Biting your nails is not only unsanitary, it can also damage your oral health.
As Dr. Paul J. Condero — Dentist based in Oakhurst, NJ — told Hackensack Meridian Health:
“Nail-biting creates friction between your teeth and nails, which over time can erode your teeth and lead to other serious problems such as gingivitis. It can move, creating gaps between the upper and lower teeth, or even misalignment.”
7. Eating hard or chewy candies
Eat chewy candies such as hard candies and gummy bears tooth troubleaccording to New York’s Smile Design Manhattan.
Hard candies stay in your mouth for a long time and so does the sugar they contain. It is also possible to break or chip a tooth with this type of candy.
According to the Smile Design Manhattan website:
“Soft gummies are equal enemies. Gummies and others are chock-full of sugar that sticks to your teeth. If you indulge, brush and floss your teeth immediately.”
8. Bruxism
This is one of those bad habits you might not be aware of, but your teeth certainly are.
Dr. Sonny Kim, a dentist at Advanced Family Dentistry in Weston, Virginia, writes: clench your teeth Many problems can occur, such as:
- headache
- jaw pain
- ear pain
- toothache
- facial muscle pain
According to Kim:
“As the enamel on the tooth surface wears away, the dentin is exposed, making the teeth more sensitive to heat and cold. Ongoing bruxism can lead to excessive wear, cracking, or fracture of the teeth. Misaligned teeth, severe jaw pain, temporomandibular disorders, malocclusions and potential tooth loss.”