How To Not Ruin Your Teeth

Dental Don’ts!

Many people use their teeth everyday for uses other then eating and smiling. We may not think about how we are affecting our dental health. Here are a few dental don’ts and the reason why.

• Don’t open bottles or wrappers using your teeth. Using your teeth as a bottle opener or chewing on hard items, such as ice or pens, can dull or even crack your teeth. Dr. Bill Dorfman, from Extreme Makeover, has once said he made enough money fixing teeth cracked on popcorn kernels to buy a luxury car.
• Don’t suck your thumb. (Yes, even adults do it!) It can damage tooth alignment. Pacifier and bottles past the age of two are just as bad.
• Don’t smoke or chewing. They not only weaken your teeth but can lead to gum disease and oral cancer. Didn’t we just tell you this in the last blog!
• Don’t go to sleep without brush or flossing. The plaque will remain on your teeth for an extended period of time making you more vulnerable to gingivitis. (The last blog contains information about gingivitis, if needed.)
• Don’t use over the counter tooth whitening products without your dentist’s guidance. These products are not regulated by the FDA or the American Dental Association because they are cosmetic, and there’s no guarantee they are safe or effective. Plus, many can only remove stains on the the top surface leaving noticeable stains in between teeth. Our next blog will address this topic with patient pictures to show you.
• Don’t bite your nails. You can dull your teeth and chip off the edges. Plus, do you know what’s underneath your fingernails!?
• Don’t use someone else’s toothbrush. It harbors bacteria that is foreign to your mouth and can harm you.
• Don’t go to a bargain dental center. You get what you pay for and sometimes its cost more to repair what is done wrong then to do it right the first time.
• Don’t get your tongue pierced. Luckily, this trend has slowed done, but if you are considering it, you should change your mind. Tongue piercing can cause excessive drooling, infection, pain and chipped teeth. Do you really think you’ll look cool while you’re constantly drooling and your teeth are all chipped?

These are things to consider throughout the day. If you have any other questions about your dental health, please feel free to call us at (417)886-9094. We will be happy to set up an appointment for you.

Have a great day!