Part of good dental health is proper prevention. Many things can cause the loss of enamel, sensitive teeth, and cavities. You can prevent some of the everyday damage if you avoid certain habits, and damaging foods. If left unchecked, these can cause serious issues that can lead to restorative work. We recommend that you avoid the following six things to maintain a healthy smile.
Smoking and Using Tobacco
Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of death and disease in the United States. Tobacco causes bad breath, stained teeth, loss of taste and smell, mouth (canker) sores, failure of dental implants, severe gum disease and oral cancer. Avoid smoking to protect your teeth and gums.
Alcohol
Saliva is nature’s natural tooth cleanser because it washes away food particles and neutralizes acid in your mouth. Alcohol decreases the amount of saliva your mouth produces. Alcohol also irritates your gums and negatively affects how your mouth produces new tissue. Heavy drinking can increase your odds of developing mouth cancer.
Vinegar-infused foods
Vinegar-infused foods and drinks have grown in popularity. There are plenty of articles online that instruct you to use apple cider vinegar as a pre-brush mouthwash. These articles claim using apple cider vinegar before you brush can help whiten your teeth and fight against tooth decay. The truth is this is the last thing you should do to promote oral health. Apple cider vinegar can damage your teeth and gums from its high acidity. The high acidity increases your risks of worn tooth enamel and significant tooth decay.
Sugary drinks
Harmful oral bacteria feed on the sugars you eat to create acids that destroy the tooth enamel. Sugary drinks can lead to tooth decay and carbonated drinks can make acidic enamel erosion more likely. Limit your intake of high sugar drinks such as soda and sports drinks. Consuming these drinks and foods in moderation should not cause any dental problems, but be diligent about cleaning your teeth.
Snacking on Junk Food
The carbohydrates and sugars in junk food, and candies can wreak havoc on your teeth. Crackers are especially bad because they get mushy enough to easily lodge between your teeth. Try to get rid of any food particles and sugars on your teeth as quickly as possible. Your best bet is to sip on water while snacking. This will wash away some food particles and sugars stuck on and in between the surfaces of your teeth.
Chewing ice
Chewing ice is a seemingly harmless habit, but ice chewing can cause permanent damage to your teeth. It can cause small cracks in the enamel that can grow larger over time and ultimately cause a tooth to fracture.
Our team has years of experience and will provide you with their expert advice and care. Contact us today for an appointment at 813-701-5074. We are here to help you have a healthy smile for life.