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Avoid these habits that will quickly trash your teeth

Everyone wants a great smile, and Dr. Li can make your smile look wonderful. Healthy teeth not only look good, but they also give you a good bite. Of course, it’s best to avoid damaging dental habits altogether. That way you can have the smile and oral health you deserve. But do you know which of those seemingly innocent habits are wrecking your teeth?

Chewing on Ice – It may be all-natural and sugar-free, but this habit is far from harmless. Chomping on hard, frozen cubes of ice can chip or even crack your teeth. And mindlessly munching while marathoning Netflix can irritate the soft tissue inside teeth leading ice-chewers to have regular toothaches and sensitivity. Hot foods and cold foods may cause a quick, sharp jab of pain. Dr. Li says next time you get the urge for ice, reach for some gum or a sugar-free popsicle instead.

Cough Drops – Cough drops may be found in the medicine aisle, but that doesn’t mean they’re healthy. In fact, most are glorified hard candy and similarly loaded with sugar. So make sure you use a sugar free option such as Fisherman Friends.

Playing Sports Without A Mouth Guard – Playing sports can be a blast, but if you play football, hockey, or some other contact sport, don’t forget your mouth guard. This piece of molded plastic protects your upper teeth from damage. Without it, your teeth may get chipped or worse, knocked out when the game gets rough. A well fitted sportsguard can help prevent concussions and TMJ injuries. Our advice, purchase a self-fitting mouthguard, or come in and have one custom made right here in our Downtown Ottawa dentist office.

Tongue Piercings – Tongue piercings, while stylish, can lead to tooth damage and fracturing. Since it is easy to bite down on the hard metal stud, lip piercings can pose a similar risk. Additionally, if the metal rubs against your gums, it can lead to gum damage and even tooth loss. Mouths are a breeding ground for bacteria, so all oral piercings increase the risk of infections and sores. Our staff would also like to warn those considering tongue piercings of the chance of accidentally piercing a large blood vessel causing severe bleeding. If you are thinking about piercings, be sure to discuss the health risks with your dentist first.

Teeth Grinding – Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, will wear your teeth down over time. It is most often caused by sleeping habits and stress, which makes it difficult to control. This fixation causes damage similar to that of chewing hard foods, so avoiding these types of snacks during the day can reduce the pain and harm originating from this habit. Also, wearing a mouthguard at night can alleviate pain and minimize the damage caused by grinding while sleeping.

Opening Stuff With Your Teeth – Your teeth need to last a lifetime, so stop using them as a multi-purpose tool! Opening soda bottles, can tabs, or plastic packaging with your teeth may be convenient, but this is one habit that makes dentists cringe. As a cosmetic and general dentist in Ottawa, Dr. Li has seen first hand the destruction this practice can cause and warns her patients that, “using your teeth as tools can cause them to crack or chip. Instead, keep bottle openers or scissors handy.”

Bottom line, your teeth should only be used for eating. You want your beautiful smile to last a lifetime, particularly if you’ve invested in dental improvements such as Invisalign or dental implants. Don’t let what seems like a simple habit wreck your progress.

(09/09/2020)
by Dr. Pamela Li

More Information: https://www.drpamelali.ca/6-common-habits-that-will-quickly-trash-your-teeth/

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