Six Behaviors That Tarnish Your Teeth

There are bad habits that we’ve all carried around for years that may be affecting our pearly whites way more than we think. Take a look below at six common behaviors that can cause a mess of your dental health. At Klamath Falls Dental Specialists, your Klamath Falls dentist of choice, we care about your teeth and gums, and want to make sure you end up a with smile you can be proud of for years to come.

Soft Drinks and Soda

Drinking soda can impact your dental health in a few different ways. They can contain as much as 11 teaspoons of sugar in each serving and also include citric and phosphoric acids, both of which are known to eat away the enamel of your teeth. Even diet versions of soda, which contain sugar substitutes, can have increased levels of these harmful acids.

Piercings, Studs, and Rings

Although it may look cool, getting your tongue or lips pierced can have serious ramifications for your dental health. When you chomp down on metal in your mouth, it can chip or crack teeth. Also, rings in your lip or tongue can irritate the gums and the inside of your mouth and cause gum damage, which can result in the loss of teeth. Getting your mouth pierced can also increase the likelihood of infections, so it is best to talk it over with a dental professional before you go down that road.

Ice Chomping

Because it is made of water and has no calories, one could believe that ice is fine for your teeth, but that is far from the truth. Ice is hard, very hard, and biting down on it can easily crack or chip teeth. Chewing ice can also aggravate the interior tissue in your teeth which can cause toothaches. This can result in more susceptibility to changes in temperature, which could cause sudden pain or aches.

Not Using A Mouthguard

Whenever you play contact sports, or sports that involve falls, it is critical to wear a mouthguard to protect against injury and tooth loss. These plastic barriers, which are often molded to your teeth, defend your top row of teeth against an accidental elbow or ball strike to the face. Your dentist can fit you for the proper type of guard depending on your needs.

Cough Drops

Must conventional cough drops found in pharmacies or supermarkets are filled with sugar or corn syrup which can be very hard on teeth. It is best to remember to brush your teeth thoroughly after using such drops. The sugar in these helpful cough eliminators can cover teeth with plaque, which contains bacteria that transform the sugar into acid. These acids can etch away at the enamel on your teeth and cause cavities and decay.

Sports Drinks

Sports drinks, like Gatorade or PowerAde, are go-tos for thirty athletes who want to replenish lost electrolytes or just feel refreshed. However, these drinks contain large amounts of sugar and also have acids that can harm your teeth. Many dentists recommend water as a better alternative to those high sugar drinks.

If you have questions about any of the items listed above, please don’t hesitate to contact us today to schedule an appointment.