subject: Common Habits That Harm Your Dental Health [print this page] Common habits that we think little of can cause tremendous damage to the teeth. One such habit is using teeth in place of common household items such as bottle openers and scissors. There are people who open bottle caps, tear off plastic wrappers, or snip off tags with their teeth. The cuspids and the incisors, the front cutting teeth in the mouth, are the teeth most commonly used for such habits. Over time, this habit eventually affects the teeth, weakening them and leading to tooth ache.
Some people enjoy the crushing sensation or sound produced by the teeth when they are crushing hard items such as pen tops, and hard stuff such as ice and some types of candy. This habit causes irreparable damage to both the enamel that covers the teeth and to the gum too. When these habits continue over a lifetime, the eventual loss of teeth is almost inevitable. Loss of teeth requires dental hygienists to carry out dental work to create dentures to replace the missing teeth.
Eating Sugary and Acidic Foods Harms Teeth
Sugar creates an environment conducive for bacteria that cause cavities to multiply in the mouth. Since sugar is acidic, it causes the mouth to be acidic too. The acid erodes tooth enamel making teeth sensitive. With time, enamel erosion leads to cavities that cause tooth ache. Consistently eating and drinking sugary foods and beverages will destroy your teeth.
Many people enjoy candies and soft drinks that have a high concentration of sugar. Certain candies are exceptionally bad for tooth health as they are sticky and the sugar in them tends to remain in the mouth long after one has eaten the candy. The ideal way to protect your teeth from sugar related corrosion, is to avoid sugar altogether. However, for most of us, that is a tall order. Therefore, regular brushing and flossing can help to keep the mouth free of sugar and acid.
Other Habits That Harm Dental Health
Cigarette smoking and alcohol are two common habits that affect the health of the teeth. Alcohol is acidic and therefore enhances corrosion of the tooth enamel. Besides discoloration of the teeth to an unattractive yellow hue, cigarette smoking also raises the acidity level in the mouth.
When the teeth are continuously in an acidic and corrosive environment, the mouth also becomes susceptible to the multiplication of harmful bacteria. Harmful bacteria cause medical conditions such as periodontal disease (gum disease). In some cases, one may actually lose their teeth. When that happens, a D.D.S (Doctor of Dental Surgery) administers various corrective dental therapies. The most common dental work is filling tooth cavities.
When tooth damage from a cavity is too extensive, the dentist performs dental extractions. The naked hole left behind after a tooth extraction can be uncomfortable and unattractive. To restore the beauty of the face that comes with a complete set of teeth, dentists provide dentures. Dentures are artificial teeth made to look and work like natural teeth.
There are two main types of dentures: those that replace all the teeth in the mouth, and those that only replace the exact teeth missing in the mouth. To get the best counsel on dental treatments, tooth extractions and dentures, it is important to consult with a qualified dentist.
