Healthy teeth: the basics

 

Habits that wreck your teeth:

 

• Chewing on ice – causes cracking and fractures

• Playing sports with no mouth guard - can lead to fractures or loss of teeth

• Bedtime bottles – risk of ‘Baby Bottle Tooth Decay’

• Tongue piercings – can cause chips, rubbing leading to gum recession, and bacteria buildup

• Grinding teeth (Bruxism) – wears down teeth or develops cracks

• Cough drops (non-sugar-free) – bathes teeth in sugar

• Gummy candy – sticks in crevices and causes tooth decay

• Soda – bathes teeth in sugar and causes tooth decay

• Opening stuff with your teeth – causes chips or fractures

• Sports drinks – bathes teeth in sugar and causes tooth decay

• Fruit juice (undiluted) – bathes teeth in sugar and causes tooth decay

• Potato chips – stick to teeth causing bacterial / plaque buildup

• Constant snacking – food debris and plaque sit on teeth for prolonged periods of time

• Chewing on pensils / pens – causes chips or fractures

• Drinking coffee – dries mouth leading to tooth decay

• Smoking – dry mouth, plaque buildup, gum disease, and an increased risk of oral cancer

• Drinking red wine – chromogen red stain, high acid content prones teeth to pick up stain, tannins help stain bind to teeth

• Drinking white wine – high acid content prones teeth to pick up stain, tannins help stain bind to teeth

• Binge eating – dental decay through high sugar content exposure or induced vomiting

 

References:

WebMD.com

KnowYourTeeth.com

 

 

Here are some helpful website links on this common topic:

 

Oral Care Slideshow