Healthy teeth and gums are part of your beautiful smile and confidence. Your teeth were meant to last your lifetime. With proper dental care, good oral hygiene and preventative measures, your teeth will last for the rest of your life. Let’s take a look at some of the precautions you should take to avoid costly dental work.
Avoid Foods that Can Crack Your Teeth
Popcorn is one of the most common foods that will crack your teeth. It may seem innocent enough, but unpopped kernels wreak havoc on teeth. Don’t try to crack them open with your teeth. Use a high- quality popcorn that has fewer unpopped kernels. The outer hull of the kernel is another problem. It can get stuck between teeth or in the gum line. Brush and floss after eating popcorn.
Other foods that damage teeth are olive pits. Be mindful when eating an olive because damage generally occurs when you bite down on something hard when you’re anticipating softness. Watch out for hard, crunchy foods, such as biscotti, croutons and baguettes. Don’t chew on rib bones or buffalo chicken wings. Avoid frozen candy bars, Snickers and Milky Ways. Peanut brittle and rock candy can also do a number on your teeth. Don’t bite into hard candy. You should also be careful when eating gooey candy, like Starburst or taffy. Be careful when chewing ice, too.
Drinks Can Be Bad For Your Teeth
Soft drinks with sugar and acids can erode the teeth. Even sugar-free varieties have damaging acids. Fruit juices, while having much-needed vitamins and minerals, are also highly acidic. Instead of avoiding these drinks all the time, reduce exposure by only drinking them with meals. If you drink these kinds of liquids all day, your mouth is constantly bombarded with acid. Use a straw when possible, because it will keep the acid away from your teeth.
Red wine, tea and coffee will stain your teeth, making them appear discolored and aged. Smoking is another habit that will stain your teeth. Prevention is better than spending hundreds of dollars trying to get your teeth white again. Even over-the-counter products are expensive, especially when you consider that it can take months to see even slight improvements.
Don’t Use Your Teeth as Tools
Your teeth weren’t designed to pull the caps off pens or to bite threads when you’re sewing. Always get the right tool to open a package. Don’t use your teeth to bite your nails. It’s unhygienic and bad for your teeth.
Wear Sports Guards
Whenever you play sports, especially contact sports like football, hockey or baseball, use a mouthguard to protect your teeth. Don’t risk your pearly whites when you’re out on the field or the court. In the case of dental damage, consult a dentist.
Make sure to see your dental team in Tulsa every six months for a cleaning and exam. Your dentist will help you keep your teeth and gums healthy, which prevents many dental issues down the road. Make an appointment today with Calhoun DDS Tulsa Dentistry.