Unhealthy habits often seem harmless and cause changes in our bodies that go almost unnoticed for a long time. But a little damage leads to a little more damage, and the effects often only show once irreversible problems have arisen. As the hardest substance in your body, teeth can withstand a great deal of wear. They are important players in digestion, central to our appearance and even help us form our words properly. Enamel, the hardest substance in our body, forms a tough outer layer of interwoven crystal rods, and a solid foundation of bone and gum surrounds the teeth and holds them firm. Resilient as teeth are, our habits can affect our smile and leave damage that is hard to repair.
Here are five habits well worth avoiding:
1. Chewing ice
We have all crunched ice on a hot summer day. But chewing on a lump of ice puts enormous strain on the crystal structure of your teeth. The combination of hardness and extreme temperature stresses the enamel like almost nothing else. Micro-fractures form in the enamel, which can eventually widen into deeper cracks. Teeth with large fillings are particularly vulnerable, and large pieces of tooth can eventually break away. In some cases a tooth can be split in two and cannot be saved.
Solution: use ice for drinks, not as a snack.
2. Fizzy and sports drinks
You probably know that fizzy drinks are full of sugar. A typical can contains 9 teaspoons on average, and sugar is an ideal energy source for the bacteria that cause decay. But did you know that many sports drinks contain just as much sugar and are often consumed in larger quantities? To make matters worse, many carbonated drinks contain various kinds of acid that erode the mineral in your teeth. Even diet drinks can dramatically change the acidity in your mouth and weaken the surface of the teeth.
Solution: reach for cold water with a squeeze of lemon, and use sports drinks only during strenuous activity.
3. Grinding your teeth
Stress finds many ways of expressing itself, and grinding is just one of them. Grinding, also known as bruxism, slowly thins the enamel, chips fillings and porcelain and strains the gums. Worn teeth often look as though sandpaper had been rolled over the chewing surface, and replacing the missing enamel frequently requires extensive treatment across the whole mouth.
Solution: consider a custom night guard to save your teeth, your jaw and your gums from larger problems.
4. Sport without a mouthguard
A blow with an elbow happens in a fraction of a second, but the damage can be life-changing. Many sporting activities carry the risk of fractured teeth, and most participants do not think about mouthguards. Do you know the number one sport for mouth injuries? Basketball. Few players wear a guard, which leads to unnecessary risk. Any sport with close contact carries risks worth eliminating.
Solution: consider a custom sports guard developed for your particular level of activity. Several protective layers can be added for maximum safety.
5. Chewing tobacco
While smoking has declined in recent years, the use of snuff has continued to rise over the past 15 years. Every year oral cancer is diagnosed in many thousands of people, and many more suffer the negative effects of this highly addictive habit. Receding gums, bad breath and decay are just some of the problems arising from the nearly 3,000 chemicals contained in chewing tobacco.
Solution: if you do not use it yet, do not start. If you are struggling to stop, ask us for ideas to support your efforts. It is worth it.
Most people want to enjoy a life with their own teeth, but a single bad habit can undermine the best intentions. Fortunately our team has solutions to reduce many risks, and we are here to support you with any changes to your habits.
