Everyday
Habits That Damage Your Teeth
You
plan meals, grab drinks, and play sports without giving much thought to your
teeth. But you might not realize how food, beverages, and activities can wreck
the health of your pearly whites. Sugar is the No. 1 enemy of
your teeth, and the longer it stays in your mouth, the worse it is. Sugar is
consumed by acid-producing bacteria in your mouth.
The
acids eat away at tooth enamel. Avoid foods like jelly candies, which stick in
your teeth longer than other foods and bathe them in sugar.
Dried
fruit such as raisins are no better. Reach for fresh fruit instead. Beverages
and Teeth Soda is just plain bad for teeth, sugar-free or not. "You're
bathing teeth in an acid environment. Club soda is harmful, too, because of its
acidity, and so are juices with added sugar. Alcohol, even just a glass of
wine, is also acidic and can erode the teeth. In addition, alcohol dries out
your mouth, reducing saliva production. "Saliva bathes the teeth and helps
remove plaque and bacterial accumulations from the teeth's surface. Less plaque
equals less risk for bacterial acids to cause decay. Rinse your mouth with
water between drinks
Other
Risks to Teeth If you use your teeth to snap off bottle caps, remove clothing
tags, or open plastic bags, stop immediately. Smokers should also consider how
the habit affects oral health. Nicotine yellows teeth and can also cause oral
cancer.
Chewing
tobacco is even worse because the tobacco and associated carcinogens come into
direct contact with the gums and soft tissues and stay there for a long time.
Also, ask your doctor or pharmacist if your medicines might cause dry mouth.
Dry
mouth inhibits saliva production and increases your risk of cavities. If you
play contact sports, pick up a mouth guard at a sports store or have your
dentist make you a custom one for maximum protection and comfort.
You
don't even have to be awake to damage your teeth. Loads of people grind their
teeth in sleep especially at night. If this is you, make an appointment with
your dentist right away. Unfortunately chewing
on ice, pens, pencils, and bobby pins can cause wear and tear on the tooth and
enamel surfaces covering the tooth. If your teeth are worn or chipped already,
the ice can crack and damage the tooth structure.
By...Belinda Yeboah
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