3 Things You May Not Realize Are Bad For Your Teeth

When it comes to keeping your teeth healthy, we all learn the basics in school. Brush twice a day, floss at least once, and visit the dentist twice a year seems like a good enough strategy for the most part.

However, certain lifestyle behaviors are surprisingly bad for your teeth. Some of these habits are as follows.

• Tongue Piercings: It may seem harmless to get a tiny piercing on your tongue, but it can take a significant toll on your oral health. They can contribute to bad teeth in several ways. A tongue piercing can cause your teeth to chip or break. Repeatedly clicking the jewelry against the teeth can damage your teeth and fillings. There is also a risk of accidentally biting down on the piercing too hard. Additionally, the piercing can interfere with dental x-rays. This is why tongue piercings are generally discouraged by dentists.
• Cough Drops: Nothing feels better than sucking on a cough drop when you can’t seem to control your coughs. Although cough drops may ease a sore throat, they can contribute to some dental issues. Cough drops are filled with sugar. Therefore, sucking on them results in bathing your teeth in sugar. This creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive in, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. You can occasionally opt for sugar-free cough drops to avoid these issues, but even those shouldn’t be consumed excessively.
• Chewing Ice: Another often unconscious habit that we rarely see as harmful. It’s frozen water; how can it cause any harm? It turns out it can. In fact, chewing ice can cause permanent damage to your teeth. It puts small cracks in the enamel, which can grow larger over time and ultimately cause the teeth to fracture. It is better to just skip on chewing ice and only use it to chill your drinks.

It is also important to be consistent with your bi-yearly dental appointments for optimal oral health. If you have been putting off scheduling your appointments, or are searching for a dentist in Wichita, consider visiting Auburn Family Dental.