Your local oral expert says there’s a chance that you may be participating in some daily habits that could very well be counterproductive to the health, longevity and appearance of your teeth. And if you are, your dentist in Dublin wants you to know about the possible danger that you could be in. To learn what these activities are, continue reading.
Try to Avoid These Situations
- Falls – Of course, you wouldn’t fall on purpose. But if you’re not careful, you can easily misstep and find yourself on the ground. A simple remedy is to just be extremely mindful where and how you’re stepping at all times. That means that certain activities like texting while you’re walking should probably be saved for a time when you’re stationary.
- Face Trauma – Many face traumas occur as a result of participating in sports. In the blink of an eye, you can take an elbow to the mouth or collide with another person, leading to a chipped or dislodged tooth. Thankfully, you don’t have to give up your hobbies. Instead, just be sure to wear a mouthguard to protect yourself.
- Food Mishaps – Another common way to damage teeth is by eating such items as un-popped kernels, hard seeds, candy or biting down the wrong way on a fork. One way to avoid such mishaps is to just be more careful to monitor your actions. Then there are certain things that should never be eaten – like ice. Your ivories are not designed to chew such a hard substance, and the result can be a cracked tooth.
- Piercings – Tongue and lip piercings can also take a toll on your oral health, as the metal objects constantly rub against your teeth and can wear down your enamel and possibly lead to chips or breaks.
- Using Teeth as Tools – Everyone’s probably been guilty, at some point, of using his or her teeth as a tool to open a bag of chips, pry open a bottle cap or something else comparably dangerous. This can quickly backfire and lead to a dental emergency, as you could suffer from lacerated gums and chipped or dislodged teeth.
How to Protect Your Teeth
As overly simple as this may seem, one sure-fire way to protect your teeth is to use them for what they were designed to do: bite and chew foods like fruits, vegetables, legumes, starches and meats.
Here are some other things to consider when looking to protect your teeth:
- Visit Your Dentist – By maintaining regular visits with your dentist, you can feel comfortable that an expert set of eyes and hands will always be there to monitor the wellness of your teeth. Furthermore, if there is some issue, he’ll also be able to restore you to your normal state in minimal time.
- Practice Excellent Oral Hygiene – By brushing and flossing your teeth at least twice a day, you are not just protecting them from harmful bacteria that seek to attack; you are also able to fortify your enamel by using toothpaste and floss infused with fluoride.
So now that you’re more informed, if you find yourself tempted to participate in one of the dangerous activities listed above, just take a moment to stop and reflect. This brief pause will save you from a world of problems.
To learn more about how to enjoy the best oral health possible and schedule a preventive dentistry visit, just reach out to your local dentist today!
About the Author
Passionate about providing excellent dental care, Dr. Eric Buck has become a fixture in the Dublin community. A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, he is affiliated with several professional organizations. Dr. Buck practices at Distinctive Smiles and can be reached for more information through his website.