Top 5 Tooth Damaging Habits
Your teeth are supposed to last a lifetime. In order for that to happen, practice good oral hygiene and maintain dental checkups and professional cleanings. Unfortunately, many people are damaging their teeth without even realizing it. Some of these habits develop at a very early age and do not show any signs of damage until years later and the harmful effects manifest over time. There are a number habits that people do daily that can cause this kind of damage to your oral health. We have picked our top 5 that people may not be aware are harmful.
Our top 5 tooth damaging habits to avoid are:
- Nail Biting – Nail biting can cause your teeth to chip or break off and can cause damage to the enamel. Since most nail biters use the front teeth to bite their nails, the front teeth typically suffer the wear and tear that nail biting can cause.
- Crunching Ice – Chewing on ice can lead to chipped, cracked and fractured teeth. The extreme cold can weaken teeth and make them more susceptible to breakage. Chewing ice also chips away tooth enamel and can cause serious damage over time. Teeth aren’t intended to crush ice cubes.
- Using Teeth as a Tool – Teeth should not be used as can openers, scissors, pliers, or knives because they aren’t tools. Even if you feel you have not harmed your teeth by using them in place of the correct tools, you may cause micro-cracks that are not visible and may eventually lead to more serious dental problems.
- Using Non-Dental Products – Paperclips, paper, or other non-dental products shouldn’t be used to get something out from your teeth. Using these objects may lead to gum and tooth damage. Using a piece of paper can cut your gums just as a paper cut on your finger.
- Biting on Pens and Pencils – Chewing on pens or pencils can crack and break teeth or even damage existing dental work. Chewing on hard objects can damage dental restorations such as fillings or crowns.
Your teeth are made to chew food and nothing more. To break any of these top 5 tooth damaging habits, begin by recognizing any tooth-damaging habits you may have. Try substituting your habit with healthier ones. Discipline yourself to healthier choices that will help make your teeth healthier and preserve your smile.
Stay on top of your regular checkups and cleanings as part of your healthy lifestyle. Contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289-0560 for your next appointment. Our friendly staff is ready to assist you!
February 9th is National Toothache Day
Did you know there is a national day dedicated to toothache pain? No kidding! February 9th is National Toothache Day! While having a toothache is no cause for celebration, being toothache free is something to be commemorated. South Tampa Smiles would like to use National Toothache Day to remind all of our patients the importance of staying on top of your dental care and how to stay toothache free!
Toothaches are painful and unpleasant. Simply put, they are just no fun. It should be a priority to stay on top of your home dental routine to minimize the risk of developing dental problems that cause toothaches. Avoiding toothaches starts with a proper dental hygiene routine at home. Be sure to brush properly for at least 2 minutes twice daily and floss everyday. Along with a rigorous home hygiene routine, keeping your regular, professional cleanings and checkups is just as important to keep painful toothaches at bay.
Tips to Remaining Toothache Free on National Toothache Day & All Year Long:
- Brush at least twice a day
- Floss at least once a day
- Avoid sugary / acidic foods and drinks
- Avoid the use of tobacco products
- Keep up with dental checkups & cleanings
A toothache is your body’s way of telling you that something’s not quite right. And you should listen! Don’t live with the discomfort of a toothache. We will do a thorough examination, dental x-rays and professional cleaning to determine the cause of your pain and the best treatment for you. If you are suffering from a toothache in South Tampa, we encourage you to take action and call us as soon as possible. We’ll perform an in depth examination to determine the cause of your pain and work with you to get you toothache free and smiling. Contact South Tampa Smiles at (813) 289 – 0560 promptly. We are here to help.
Use #NationalToothacheDay to share National Toothache Day on social media!
Further Reading:
Extracting Certain Teeth Can Boost Orthodontic Effectiveness
Malocclusion is a misalignment of the teeth that can lead to serious oral health complications. Most malocclusions are treated with braces or clear aligners. Some malocclusions may require extra procedures to achieve successful results. Incoming teeth may crowd the other teeth and cause them to erupt abnormally. The space needed to move the misaligned teeth into their correct position may be reduced by the crowding. In these instances removing certain teeth prior to orthodontic treatment can boost orthodontic effectiveness.
The Process
The teeth to be removed are those whose absence will have minimal effect on both appearance and dental function. Those teeth are commonly the bicuspids, located between the cuspid (eye) teeth and the back molars. Following the extraction, braces can be put on almost immediately and the remaining teeth will move into the opened space. This is a lengthy process and can take months or even years to close the gaps. Once the teeth are moved in the perfect alignment, the patient will not even notice they are missing.
This process takes time and commitment to complete from beginning to end. Going through the extraction process for most people is one of the biggest hurdles. Having teeth missing for a period of time during treatment is another factor. You must be fully informed of this type of dental treatment and prepared to put in the extra dental visits. The end result can be well worth the time and effort. The patient has better function and a beautiful, new smile!
Keep your smiles in top oral condition with regular dental exams and cleaning along with a vigorous home hygiene routine. Contact South Tampa Smiles for your next dental checkup and cleaning at (813) 289-0560. We look forward to being your South Tampa Dentist!
