Today, we are embracing a new lifestyle in which healthy, wholesome foods are the main focus. We are aiming to add superfood to our diet, move more and exercise regularly. However, we often forget about our teeth and how our everyday habits have an impact on them.
According to a research done by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 5% of people aged between 20 and 64 have lost all of their teeth. To avoid that dreadful scenario happening to you, you need to start taking better care of your teeth.
Let’s kick it off by making you aware of the everyday habits that might be destroying your pearly whites!
Smoking
This one is the most evident one – smoking is not only bad for your teeth, but is also the number one cause of cancer.
Smoking does not only ruin the appearance of your teeth by making them yellow and stained, but it can also be the cause of gum diseases, tartar build-up and severe cavities.
If you are a smoker, look at yourself in the mirror and smile. You wouldn’t want to risk losing your teeth, will you?
Sugar
Ever since we were kids, our parent and the dentists warned us that eating too much candy is bad for our teeth. They weren’t lying to us.
Sugary food is broken down to acids by the bacteria in our mouths. Over time, this causes for the enamel to become worn off and ultimately cause tooth decay.
While clearly, it is impossible to completely cut off sugar from your diet, try to avoid foods which have high sugar content such as candy and fizzy drinks.
All of Your Favorite Beverages
Unless your favorite beverage is water.
It is estimated that in the U.S only in 2018 were consumed almost 26 million 60kg bags of coffee! We can clearly see the nation’s favorite beverage!
But coffee, together with tea and wine are the biggest offenders that can cause teeth discoloration. Clearly, it is hard to stay away from these three tasty drinks, but try to cut down so you can keep your teeth white for longer.
Biting Nails
Nail biting is a really bad habit. There is a lot of bacteria under your nails and by biting them, the bacteria is making its way to your mouth. This can cause infections that can even be life-threatening.
Biting your nails can also make your teeth crack. The pressure of biting the nail can loosen your teeth and if you have strong nails, it might cause your teeth to crack.
Who Needs Scissors When You Have Teeth
Let’s admit – we all do this. That stubborn pack of chips just wouldn’t open and you are too lazy to get up from the sofa and get the scissors. Good thing your teeth are strong enough to rip the pack apart!
Yes, your teeth are very strong, but they are not meant to be used for anything else but chewing food. Using your teeth as openers can damage the enamel and even be the reason for cracks.
Lozenges
When you have a cold, probably the last thing on your mind is taking care of your teeth. Lozenge after a lozenge, your throat will start to feel better, but your teeth are definitely not happy about it.
Lozenges are loaded with sugar and they are not the healthiest thing in the world. We all tend to take one just before going to bed and then fall asleep with a sugary taste in our mouths. And what does sugar do to your teeth? Increases the risk of cavities! When in need, try to go for the sugar-free options or brush your teeth after taking one.
Potato Chips
Starch found in potato chips is broken down by the bacteria in our mouths in a similar way as sugar – it is turned into acid. And you know the rest of the story.
It is recommended to floss after eating potato chips since bits might get stuck between the teeth.
Piercings
Lip and tongue piercings are accessories that can also pose a risk to your oral health. This is especially true for tongue piercings since the risk factor is higher. To start with, having a piece of metal in an environment full of bacteria can cause infections.
Also, accidentally biting on your piercing can easily make a tooth crack.
Piercing might be trendy, but they are a big enemy of oral health.
Everyday habits are not easy to get rid of, but you have to start somewhere. Take proper care of your teeth and do not even think about opening a beer bottle with your teeth next time!
In case you lose some of your teeth because of the above reasons, there are dentists who specializes on dental implants that can replace them.
