Horrible Habits That Harm Your Teeth

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Many of us are diligent about brushing and flossing twice a day, but there are some bad habits that you may not have even realized can be terror on your teeth. As your McKinney dentist, Dr. Lawrence wants to make sure that every patient enjoys a great looking, healthy smile now and in the future. To keep your teeth looking and feeling their best, here are a few common habits that really take a toll on your oral health.

Drinking Soda

A daily soda habit by far ranks as one of the biggest threats to your long-term oral health. Drinks like Coke and other such carbonated beverages may contain up to 11 teaspoons of sugar in each can or bottle, which exceeds the daily recommended amount of sugar you should consume. They also contain high amounts of phosphoric and citric acids, which have been proven to eat away at your tooth enamel potentially leading to cavities. If you think that drinking diet soda can help protect your oral health by reducing sugar consumption, know that the artificial sweeteners in most diet brands do just as much if not more damage to tooth enamel.

Chewing on Ice

Ice may seem harmless, but this hard brick of frozen H2O can be very detrimental to your teeth in a big way. Biting down on a hard piece of ice can frequently result in cracking or chipping teeth, as simple science tells us that objects become more brittle when cold. Even chewing on ice can also irritate the roots of your teeth and cause toothaches. This also can make your teeth more prone to temperature changes, which can then produce more aches or pains.

Piercings and Studs

Though some people like the look of pierced lip or tongue, it can do serious damage to your dental well-being. Any time you bite down on metal in your mouth it can cause chips or cracks to your teeth. Rings and studs in lips or the tongue can also irritate your gums, your mouth’s interior, and even result in gum damage or loss of teeth. Piercings around your mouth can also raise your risk of getting infected, so it is wise to check with McKinney dentist before deciding on whether an oral piercing is right for you.

Forgetting A Mouth Guard

Contact sports are one of the most common ways that people damage their teeth. It is recommended that you wear a mouthguard for any sport that has contact or falls, even gymnastics or skateboarding, along with more traditional sports like basketball and football. Good mouth guards are molded to your teeth and offer a barrier against any objects or blunt force that comes in contact to your mouth. Check with your Dr. Lawrence to schedule a consultation for your custom-made mouth guard.

Gatorade and Other Sports Drinks

Gatorade, Powerade and other sports drinks are very popular with athletes and those who exercise. They are great at replenishing the salt and electrolytes we lose when exercising. But much like with soda, these drinks also include sizable amounts of sugar, which is not good for your teeth. Dr. Lawrence recommends drinking water as a substitute for these sugar-packed sports drinks when working out, and that parents avoid letting their kids consume sport drinks as all.

 

If you have questions about any of the items listed above, or need a dentist in McKinney, Texas, please don’t hesitate to contact the helpful staff at McKinney Smiles today.