Protect your smile from damage and decay by using simple practices and common sense. Due to the almost-overwhelming amount of risks to our teeth and gums, you must take care to protect your teeth whenever possible! Such care includes wearing safety equipment when necessary, eating the tooth-healthy foods, developing positive dental health habits, and quitting all bad habits that increase your risk for oral ailments.
A prosaic example of a common-sense mishap: never use your teeth as a bottle opener. Your teeth are durable, but are typically not a match for harder materials in our world, including bottle caps! If you are not careful, you can easily break off a tooth–or even multiple teeth.
As for eating–sugars within foods can cause tooth loss. If bacteria begin to build in your mouth, a fine layer called plaque will form. When sugars are introduced, the bacteria convert the sugars into harmful acids that erode the tooth enamel. This introduces your teeth to cavities and other forms of tooth decay. To combat this, be sure to maintain good oral health habits of brushing for two minutes, twice a day, and flossing once a day.
Not all oral health risks come from outside sources. If you have bruxism, your teeth are at an increased risk of failure. Bruxism causes your teeth to gnaw and grind together, often unconsciously. If left unchecked, this grinding of teeth can weaken your tooth enamel and could even cause chips and cracks to occur. Check with your dentist if you suspect bruxism or any other dental health problems.
Don’t wait until it’s too late! Please book an oral exam with Dr. R. Erik Cantwell at our dentist office in West Jordan, Utah, by calling us at 801.260.0530. Our team looks forward to bringing your smile back to its fullest.