You don’t want your enamel to crack, your tooth to fall out, or your restoration to break, right? If so, it’s important that you take proactive measures to protect your smile from harm. In addition to brushing and flossing consistently, follow your dentist’s lead and don’t put the following things in your mouth.
1. Lemons
Since lemons are known for their benefits – like helping with digestion and preventing acne – you might assume that they are good for your teeth as well. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Since they are also incredibly acidic, they can lead to enamel erosion. That’s why it’s best to dilute lemon juice in water!
2. Someone Else’s Toothbrush
No matter how close you are to someone, you should not use their toothbrush. Remember, those bristles are coated in plaque, food particles, and other debris that were in their mouth. Those same bristles should not be used to try and clean your teeth!
3. Hard Candies
From candy canes to lollipops, hard candies can quickly wreak havoc on your oral health. That’s because their tough texture can cause your enamel to chip or crack. Plus, if you suck on them, your mouth is continuously exposed to sugar, which can quickly lead to tooth decay.
4. Their Fingernails
Not only are there germs and bacteria underneath your fingernails, but they can create small chips and cracks in your enamel. So, if you bite your nails, now’s a good time to stop. If you’ve had trouble in the past, talk to your dentist – they might have some helpful tips for you!
5. Ice Cubes
Chewing on ice cubes may seem harmless, but it can actually lead to a serious crack or fracture. So, if you want to avoid a sudden, painful dental injury, it’s best to break this habit now! Instead, chew on something that won’t harm your smile, like some sugar-free gum.
6. Bottle Caps
Is your party trick removing a bottle cap with your teeth? Unfortunately, all it takes is one time for your teeth to give instead of the bottle cap. That’s why your dentist doesn’t use their teeth as tools – whether it’s using their teeth to remove a bottle cap or using their teeth to tear open plastic wrapping.
About the Practice
Our team at University Dental Group is open five days a week and is in-network with most major PPOs. So, if you ever need emergency care, you can have peace of mind knowing we’re here to help, and the process of restoring your smile will be both stress-free and pain-free. That said, we also want to help you avoid serious dental injuries, which is why we share helpful tips when we can! If you want to schedule an emergency appointment or get your next dental checkup and cleaning on the calendar, then visit our website or call (508) 753-1911.