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Want Healthy Teeth? A Dentist Says Avoid These Activities!

August 21, 2018

Filed under: Uncategorized — jc-dentistry @ 6:51 pm

ice between teethYour teeth play a vital role in your appearance, your confidence, your comfort, and even your overall health. Every effort you make to protect them is well worth it! But are you inadvertently doing anything that could put your smile in jeopardy? Your dentist in Jacksonville is here to warn against some common smile-endangering habits.

Chewing on Ice or Other Hard Objects

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the human body — it’s even harder than steel! Unfortunately, though, it is very brittle, and it can easily crack or break if it’s put under too much pressure. If you regularly chew on ice, pen caps, or jawbreaker candy, you risk chipping one of your pearly whites. When you feel the urge to put one of these items in your mouth, try reaching for a stick of sugar-free gum instead.

Playing Sports Without a Mouthguard

If you play any type of contact sport, such as football, basketball, rugby, or any do other physical activity that comes with a risk that you’ll take a blow to your face, you must wear a mouthguard. Not only will a mouthguard protect your teeth, but it can also reduce the chances that the soft tissues in your mouth will incur damaged. A custom mouthguard can even cut back on your risk of suffering a concussion.

Not Being Cautious with Your Tongue Piercing

A tongue piercing is a bad idea for your teeth because the metal bar can knock against them and cause chips and cracks. Bacteria can also collect around the site of the piercing and lead to an infection. The best way to avoid these issues is to say no to any kind of tongue jewelry. However, if you can’t resist getting your tongue pierced, be careful not to play with the piercing by clicking it against your teeth, and always stick to excellent oral hygiene habits.

Overindulging in Sugary Snacks and Beverages

Sugar is one of the worst things for oral health. It interacts with bacteria in your mouth and leads to plaque formation, which in turn leads to tooth decay. Some goodies are worse than others for your oral health. For example, not only is soda full of sugar, but it is also highly acidic. Sticky candies, like gummy bears, can easily cling to your teeth and prolong the amount of time that your smile is exposed to damaging acids. If you can’t live without your sweet treats, enjoy them in moderation, and always brush your teeth 30 – 60 minutes after you finish consuming them.

Sending Your Baby to Bed with a Bottle

It’s tempting to put your little one to bed with a comforting bottle of milk, but this is a bad idea because it exposes your baby’s teeth to sugar for a prolonged period of time. Try to find other ways to sooth your child (such as soft music) so you can give their smile the best possible start in life.

Your smile is precious! Protect it by doing your best to avoid the above-listed bad habits.

About Jacksonville Complete Dentistry

Drs. Rose Johnson and Wayne Barker compose your talented dental team in Jacksonville. They provide preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services with compassion and expertise. If you would like to learn from them how you can take the best possible care of your smile, contact us at 904-645-6457.

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