Maintaining great dental health involves more than just brushing and flossing consistently. In addition to all of the things you should be doing to keep your teeth and gums healthy, there are several things you should avoid. Many people have small habits that, when performed every day, can have a negative impact on their dental health. In this week’s blog, we will explain a few of the most common ones that we routinely see in our patients.
1. Chewing Ice
Chewing ice is a common habit that most people do not even realize they do. It becomes such a natural part of enjoying your cold beverage that you do it without thinking. Chewing ice is bad for your teeth for two reasons.
First, chewing ice places heavier biting forces on the teeth than they were made to withstand. Ice is generally hard, and the force of breaking it during the chewing process is enough to cause damage to your enamel. This is especially dangerous on teeth already weakened by large fillings or extensive cavities.
The second reason chewing ice is dangerous is the sharp temperature difference between the ice and the inside of your mouth. The human mouth is very warm, typically around 98 degrees Fahrenheit. Ice is extremely cold, and when you shock the teeth with that sharp temperature difference, you cause tiny cracks and craze lines in the enamel.
2. Slowly Sipping on Coffee or Tea All Day
We know this one is particularly tempting if you work a desk job. If you keep any beverage in front of you that is not water, you are at risk for causing damage to your teeth. Coffee and tea are both acidic (they are not as bad for you as soda, but the constant sipping can be almost as dangerous).
When you sip on acidic beverages throughout the day, you keep your mouth at a pH lower than neutral. By keeping the oral environment, your teeth are at risk for both cavities and acid erosion. A healthy mouth is slightly alkaline in pH (above neutral).
We know you need your coffee! Rather than sipping it slowly over a long period of time, try to drink it more quickly and rinse your mouth with plain water afterward. This will help quickly return the pH inside the mouth to neutral.
3. Drinking Water or Tea with Lemon
Many restaurants service iced water or tea with a lemon slide, whether you request it or not. Lemon juice is one of the most acidic substances people commonly ingest. It is a wonderful flavoring, but it is extremely acidic.
Adding lemon to your water drastically drops the pH, making the entire beverage acidic. This habit has the potential to remove large amounts of enamel through the process of acid erosion. Once enamel is gone, you cannot regrow it.
Losing enamel increases your risk for cavities, cracks, and sensitivity on your teeth. It typically requires expensive dental treatment to replace, as well.
4. Using Your Teeth as Tools
This is another habit that many people commonly perform without realizing it. Teeth are not tools. Teeth have the perfect design for chewing and speaking. They are not made to withstand the forces of parafunctional habits. We call it “parafunctional” because these things are outside the realm of normal function.
When you use your teeth to tear open packages, cut fishing line, or hold hair pins, you are using them outside the realm of their normal function. These activities often cause damage such as chipping, cracking or breaking of the teeth.
Teeth already weakened by large fillings or untreated cavities are actually quite easy to break. Try to remember, if you are not chewing or speaking, your teeth should not be working.
More Questions about Potentially Dangerous Habits? Contact Rockland Dental Today
Call Rockland Dental Specialists today to schedule a consultation with one of our dental experts. We can answer any question you have and assess your unique situation. If you have damage from a daily habit, we will help you repair the damage and protect against more in the future. Call us at (845) 259-2500 or complete our online contact form today!