From large chips and painful fractures to a completely knocked-out tooth, dental emergencies can be both stressful and painful to handle. Naturally, you want to avoid experiencing one at all costs. While implementing a solid oral hygiene routine and getting a dental checkup and cleaning every six months are great places to start, you can reduce your chances of sustaining a dental injury by following some other best practices. With this in mind, keep reading to learn six things your dentist never puts in their mouth!
1. Lemons
In addition to being packed with vitamin C, lemons have potassium, magnesium, and other essential vitamins, making them a great addition to any balanced diet. However, their acidity can result in enamel erosion as well. Fortunately, small tweaks like using a straw when drinking lemon water can go a long way in protecting your teeth from decay!
2. Ice Cubes
As the weather warms up, you might be tempted to chew on ice cubes to cool down. The ice cube or your tooth has to give and, unfortunately, it’s sometimes the latter. So, if you enjoy munching on ice, try placing your drink in the freezer for a few minutes for the same chilled effect. You can also use a straw to help avoid the temptation to chew on the ice in your drink!
3. Bottle Caps
If a bottle cap is being stubborn, you might be tempted to use your teeth to pry it open. Don’t! This can break your tooth down the middle, potentially to the point where it’s no longer feasible to save. As you can imagine, this can be painful to experience and costly to correct. Therefore, it’s worth taking the few extra minutes to locate your bottle opener.
4. Other People’s Toothbrushes
Simply put, you should never use someone else’s toothbrush, even if they are a best friend, significant other, or relative. In addition to being home to numerous bacteria, multiple studies have found that toothbrushes can spread tooth decay! So, for the sake of your oral and overall health, don’t share any of your oral hygiene products.
5. Hard Candies
Lollipops and jawbreakers are just a few of many hard candies that can wreak havoc on your smile. There are two main problems with these treats. First, if you suck on them, you continuously expose your teeth to sugar. Second, if you bite into them too soon, you can crack or chip a tooth. That’s why it’s best to simply avoid these types of candies altogether.
6. Cigarettes
It’s well known that smoking is bad for your overall health, but it also negatively affects your teeth and gums. Not only is it one of the leading causes of oral cancer, but it can also lead to chronic bad breath and unsightly stains. If you haven’t already, talk to your primary care physician or dentist for tips on how to kick the habit!
About the Author
After earning his Doctor of Dental Surgery from the University of California, San Francisco, Dr. Nicholas Brong completed a nine-week externship that covered emergency care, extractions, and restorations. Since then, he has continued to prioritize continuing education, which includes dental implant training with Nobel Biocare. Plus, he is an active member of professional organizations like the American Dental Association! If you want to learn more about how you can prevent dental injuries or you’d like to schedule an appointment, visit our website or call (507) 288-1066.
