Did you know that research shows that your oral health directly effects your over all health? To keep your teeth as healthy as possible, it’s important that you avoid teeth wear! What is teeth wear you ask? Teeth wear is when the enamel on your teeth wears out. This happens naturally to some extent with age, but particular habits can accelerate the process. So to make sure you are keeping those pearly whites and the rest of you as healthy as possible, we put together a list of do’s and don’t for you to keep in mind next time you sit down for a snack or a mental health break.
1. Grinding Your Teeth
Many people grind their teeth unconsciously, either while awake or in their sleep. Grinding your teeth will wear away your enamel and weaken your teeth over time, so be aware of how you treat your teeth. If teeth grinding is something you do sleeping, you may need a mouth guard to help prevent it.
2. Drinking Soda
We know it can be hard to give up those sugary sweet drinks, but sadly they are just as bad for your teeth as they are for the waist line. It’s not just the sugary in soft drinks that is damaging to your teeth enamel, it’s also the citric and phosphoric acids. Even fruit juice can be harmful to your teeth, so it’s best to drink these types of beverages with a straw.
3. Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Smoking is one of the worst habits for your teeth, and chewing tobacco isn’t any better. Both of these habits will stain your teeth and cause then to wear out faster than the natural progression.
4. Abrasive Tooth Whitening Substances
Applying substances such as hydrogen peroxide or bleach to your teeth frequently might make them whiter, but over time they can wear away the enamel of your teeth. If you are looking for a brighter, whiter smile talk to your dentist about safe options that will give you the results you want and be good for your budget.
5. Coffee and Tea
Coffee and tea are a staple to many homes and offices around the country, but they can stain your teeth and cause wear. One way to minimize this is to drink your tea or coffee in one sitting, as sipping on these beverages all day long makes staining and wear more likely. When you drink coffee or tea cold, it’s also a good practice to use a straw.
6. Medications
Certain medications, either over-the-counter or prescription may cause teeth wear. In some cases this is because they cause dry mouth. Saliva helps protect your teeth, so when your mouth is overly dry it causes your teeth to wear out faster. If a certain medication has this symptom, ask your doctor if it’s possible to find a substitute that doesn’t have dry mouth as a side effect.
7. Insufficient or Excessive Tooth Brushing
Not brushing your teeth regularly will promote tooth decay and wear, but on the other hand, brushing too often can also damage the your teeth enamel. Most dentists recommend brushing and flossing two to three times per day.
8. Untreated Digestive Problems
Conditions such as acid reflux, gastrointestinal disorders and eating disorders such as bulimia can accelerate tooth wear if they cause acids to come into contact with the teeth.
9. Opening Bottles With Your Teeth
If you use your teeth as a bottle opener or any type of tool, you risk damaging them. Aside from the long term wear it can cause, there’s also the risk of breaking or chipping a tooth.
10. Chewing the Wrong Kind of Gum
If you chew gum, stick to products that are sweetened with xylitol. Not only is this less damaging to the teeth than sugar, it stimulates saliva production, which is good for the mouth. Chewing gum with sugar, on the other hand, contributes to tooth decay and wear.
Do you have symptoms of tooth decay? The dentists at Daxon Dentistry can help. Contact us today at (727) 565-1665 for a new patient consultation.