No matter how strong you might think your teeth are, there are things you can do that may damage them. Knowing what types of behaviors to avoid will go a long way in helping you maintain a healthy smile.
Snacking
Frequent snacking leaves food particles in your mouth that can linger for hours. Snacking produces less saliva than a full meal does, so it’s harder for your mouth to cleanse itself. Avoid snacking too often and make choices that are low in sugar and starches.
Smoking
Cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and any other kinds of tobacco can cause gum disease, stain your teeth, and spark bad breath. It can also cause cancer of the mouth, tongue, and lips.
Chewing on ice or pencils
Crunching on hard pieces of ice or pencils can chip or crack your teeth. It can also irritate the soft tissue inside your mouth. Instead of chewing these hard items, try sugarless gum instead.
Bedtime bottles
Many parents are tempted to give in to a baby who wants a bedtime bottle of milk, formula, or juice. Even though it might comfort your baby, it will bathe the baby’s teeth and gums in harmful sugars all night long.
Not wearing a mouth guard
Playing contact sports is reason to wear a mouth guard every single time. This piece of plastic is molded to fit your mouth to protect your upper teeth from getting broken or knocked out during play. Custom mouth guards are available through your dentist, or self-fitting options at sports stores.
Teeth grinding
Grinding your teeth can wear them down with time. Wearing a mouth guard while sleeping can help you avoid this habit.
Using teeth as tools
Avoid opening packaging or bottle caps with your teeth. Using teeth as tools can cause serious damage, so only use your teeth for eating.
