Habits that Weaken Your Teeth

Habits that Weaken Your Teeth

Many habits impact teeth and gums — and affect overall health. Smoking promotes gum disease, which normally ends with all teeth being pulled and replaced by dentures. Here are five less commonly-known activities that weaken teeth and ruin a smile:

Teeth as Tools

Habits that Weaken Your Teeth

Using your teeth to unscrew a bottle cap or open a bag of chips may seem like a quick way to solve a problem but doing this can harm your pearly whites. You take a chance on chipping or fracturing a tooth when using your teeth as a tool, causing a lot of pain.

Piercings

Habits that Weaken Your Teeth

Lip, cheek, and tongue piercings may be stylish and trendy but they can harm your teeth and gums. Piercings cause tooth fractures and chips and are known to affect gum loss, resulting in the loss of teeth.

Crunching on Ice Cubes

Habits that Weaken Your Teeth

Chewing on ice cubes may may chip the enamel on your teeth. Also, if you have fillings, the surrounding tooth is already weakened and can break when you are biting down on something as hard as an ice cube.

Sports Drinks

Habits that Weaken Your Teeth

Sports drinks have pH levels and acidic ingredients that can influence tooth erosion. The high amount of sugar in sports drinks promotes acid-producing bacteria, resulting in tooth decay and cavities.

Wine

Habits that Weaken Your Teeth

Drinking wine can have a negative impact on your teeth. Wine is high in acid that can harm tooth enamel, especially if you swish the wine in your mouth. If you are going to have a glass, take small sips and rinse your mouth with water after you are done.

The best way to prevent tooth decay and other oral health issues is to visit your dentist on a regular basis. The Ohana Dental Clinic offers an array of services to keep your smile looking good. From dental exams and cleanings to teeth whitening and braces, we are ready to take care of all of your dental needs. Call us for an appointment at (905) 697-3440 today!