These Habits Hurts Your Teeth....

Are you wrecking your teeth without even knowing it? For instance, chewing on ice or opening stuff with your teeth may be convenient but using your teeth as tools can cause them to crack.....

"Dr. Sarita Arteaga, associate professor in the Department of Reconstructive Sciences with the UConn School of Dental Medicine, says while some of these dental health “don’ts” can do immediate damage to your teeth (by cracking or breaking them), the effects of others may add up over time, harming your dental health in the long run.

Here are some habits that damage your teeth...

• Do you brush your teeth before eating or drinking something acidic? if you do, you need to stop. Brushing teeth immediately before drinking or eating something acidic brushes away the saliva that protects your enamel from acid. 
• Sugar is the No. 1 enemy of your teeth, and the longer it stays in your mouth, the more damage it causes. Sugar is consumed by acid-producing bacteria in your mouth. The acids eat away at tooth enamel. Avoid foods like jelly candies, which stick in your teeth longer than other foods. Dried fruit such as raisins are not so good either. Reach for fresh fruit instead. 
• Do you take any type of medication regularly?-- Many types of medications can cause dry mouth. When your mouth lacks moisture, your teeth become more vulnerable to eroding enamel and all of the cavities and gum problems that can develop. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any of the medications you take can dry up your protective saliva. You may be able to take action to prevent dry mouth from damaging your teeth.

• Don’t Brush Too Hard?-- Brushing your teeth regularly is part of good oral hygiene, but if you brush too vigorously, you can cause more harm than good. Brushing your teeth too hard can wear down enamel, irritate your gums, make your teeth sensitive to cold, and even cause cavities. 
• Do you swim in chlorinated pools often?-- The chemicals and chlorine in swimming pools have been found to be corrosive to tooth enamel over time. But you would have to gulp up a lot of chlorinated pool water for it to have much effect. Still, if you spend time in the pool, avoid taking the water into your mouth. 
• Your Teeth Are Not a Tool-- Many people use their teeth to break off a tag on clothing, rip open a package of potato chips, or even unscrew bottle tops. But teeth are not pliers, teeth are not hooks. Using your teeth as a tool is a threat to dental health and can damage dental work or cause your teeth to crack.
• Boycott Nail Biting-- Biting your nails doesn’t just harm the appearance of your hands,it can also damage your teeth and become an oral hygiene issue. Regularly biting your nails can cause your teeth to move out of place. In addition, nail biting could potentially cause teeth to break or tooth enamel to splinter. 
• Use Toothpicks Carefully-- When used properly, toothpicks can help keep the areas between your teeth clean. If you do it carefully, using toothpicks is helpful. If you don’t, you are going to hurt your gum tissue. So be careful not to get too aggressive with that toothpick in your quest for oral hygiene. Nothing you do to your teeth or gums should ever hurt — if it does, it may be damaging your teeth. 
• Oral Piercings-- If you pierce your tongue, lips, cheeks or uvula (the tiny tissue that hangs at the back of the throat,) it can interfere with speech, chewing or swallowing. It may also cause damage to gums, teeth and fillings. A common habit of biting or playing with the piercing can injure your gums and lead to cracked, scratched or sensitive teeth. Piercings can also damage fillings. 

"Your smile is one of your greatest assets and has so much to do with your confidence. That is why looking after your oral health is so incredibly important for your quality of life. If you look after your teeth and gums properly, they can stay healthy and beautiful for the rest of your life."

In order for you to maintain healthy teeth and gums, it’s vital to have regular check-ups and professional cleanings. Dental implants specialists in Arizona recommend asking your dentist about dental sealants, a material used to coat the top surfaces of the back teeth, protecting your teeth from decay. Take the time to look after your teeth as they provide so much more than just an aesthetic function.

Thursday, November 07, 2013