15 Jul 5 Things You Should Never Do with Your Teeth
Teeth serve many purposes and should be protected. The permanent teeth that erupt in childhood need to support the ability to chew and speak for the balance of life. Brushing and flossing daily coupled with visits to the dentist twice a year provide a good base, but avoiding common mistakes could help even more.
5 Things Teeth Are Not Designed To Handle
- Hard objects: Teeth are extremely strong, but may not be able to stand up to biting down on things like rock hard candy; ice; unpopped kernels of corn; and many of the inanimate objects you may like to grip between your teeth like pens and/or pencils that you might be chewing on without thinking.
- Use scissors – not your teeth: Packaging can be difficult to open, and the urge to rip open with your teeth because they’re handy can be a big mistake.
- Tobacco in any form: Cigarettes, cigars, e-cigs, smokeless tobacco … all of these products are damaging teeth and gums with each puff or chew.
- The wrong toothbrush: The tools used and the technique employed with the daily oral hygiene regime can make a big difference to the condition of your teeth. A hard bristle brush, too much pressure, and a sawing back and forth motion can prematurely wear down protective enamel as well as result in gum recession.
- Sugar and Carbs: Everything you eat can impact oral health, but some foods and beverages are far healthier than others. Read labels … many of our consumables may boast they are healthy, but contain high levels of sugar or are very acidic.
The Importance of Keeping Teeth Healthy
We rely on teeth for more than a great smile, although that is very important for self-confidence. Many don’t realize that we need teeth to form words correctly; so if one or more teeth are missing, speech patterns may be impacted.
If you’ve never experienced tooth loss, you have no idea how their absence can affect the foods you eat. Fresh fruits and vegetables, a chewy piece of bread, and many cuts of meat like steaks or chops may need to be replaced by soft foods like pudding, jello, mashed potatoes, and eggs.
Protect your teeth – brush and floss daily. Visit our dentist twice yearly to maintain this most valuable asset designed to carry you through life.