Overview
You might say a smile is a person’s best asset as it conveys happiness, warmth and confidence. Studies show that smile makes us more attractive. However, the key to a pretty smile is of course a gorgeous set of pearly whites. We are all well educated enough to know that coffee, smoking and red wine is a big culprit for staining those beautiful pearly whites you possess. Sometimes this can be difficult to avoid.
But all too often, the very things we do to take care of our smile- brushing, flossing and even rinsing with mouthwash can hurt instead of helping our teeth. Though we can’t promise you a supermodel smile, we can share nine ways that ruin your teeth.
Soda
Sodas can have up to 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving. To add an insult to the injury, sodas contain phosphoric and citric acids that eat away at the tooth enamel. The diet soda drinks let you skip the sugar however they may have even more acid in the form of the artificial sweeteners.
Munching Ice Cubes
You might think ice is harmless as it is natural and sugar free. However munching on hard, frozen cubes can chip or even crack your teeth. If the mindless chomping irritates the soft tissue inside a tooth then regular toothaches may follow. Eating cold foods and hot foods may trigger quick, sharp jabs of pain or a lingering toothache. Next time you get the urge for ice, get some sugarless gum instead.
Baby Bottles at Night
It is never too early to protect your teeth. Giving a baby a bedtime bottle of milk, juice or formula can put the new teeth on a path to decay. The baby may become used to bathing the teeth in sugars overnight and falling asleep with bottle in his or her mouth. So it is best to keep the bottles out of the crib.
Starchy Snacks
Who doesn’t love the nice, satisfying crunch of a potato chips- the starchy snacks. However they are filled with starch that tends to get trapped in your teeth. If you choose to indulge in snacks like these then take extra care while flossing that day to get all the food particles removed as it can lead to plaque build-up.
Coffee
Over time the dark color and acidity of coffee can cause yellowing of the teeth. Fortunately, this is one of the easiest stains to treat with various whitening methods. Talk with your dentist if you are concerned about the discoloration of your teeth.
Grinding Teeth
Teeth grinding or bruxism can wear the teeth down over time. Often this is caused by sleeping habits and stress which makes it hard to control. Avoid hard foods during the day to reduce pain and damage from this habit. Wear a mouth guard at night to prevent the damage caused by grinding while sleeping.
Tongue Piercings
Though tongue piercings are trendy but biting done on the metal stud can crack a tooth. Lip piercings pose a similar risk as the metal rubs against the gums which cause the gum damage which may lead to tooth loss. Since the mouth is a haven for bacteria, piercings raise the risk of infections and sores. With tongue piercing there is a risk of accidental piercing of a large blood vessels causing severe bleeding. So discuss the health risks with your dentist.
Hard Candy
Although hard candy seem harmless but eating too many and the constant exposure to sugar can be harmful for your teeth. They put the teeth at risk not only due to being full of sugar but because they can also be trigger to dental emergency such as a chipped or broken tooth. Chew sugarless gum carrying the ADA seal which is better alternative to hard candy.
Smoking
Cigarettes and other tobacco products can stain teeth causing them to fall out due to gum disease. This can also cause cancer of the lips, mouth and tongue. Think of your smile while looking for one more reason to quit smoking.
Conclusion
Try to cut down on all of the above wherever possible. Brush your teeth around half an hour after you eat any of the above offenders.
Reference:
Teeth for Two: Oral Health During Pregnanc
10 Secrets to Brighter, Whiter Teeth
Things You Didn’t Know About Your Teeth