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Harming TeethKrisha McCoy – Are you wrecking your
teeth without even knowing it? If you suck your thumb or suck on lemons,
you’re doing your pearly whites wrong. And did you know that biting your
nails is not only bad for your fingers, it can actually hurt your teeth,
too?
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Your Teeth Are Not a Tool
Many people use their teeth to break off a tag on clothing, rip open a
package of potato chips, or even unscrew bottle tops. But according to
Price, teeth are meant to help us do three things: Chew food, speak
properly, and look better when we smile. "Teeth are not pliers, teeth
are not hooks," he says. Using your teeth as a tool is a threat to
dental health and can damage dental work or cause your teeth to crack.
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Boycott Nail Biting
Biting your nails doesn't just harm the appearance of your hands — it
can also damage your teeth and become an oral hygiene issue. "People who
bite their nails usually do it chronically," notes Mello. Regularly
biting your nails can cause your teeth to move out of place. In
addition, nail biting could potentially cause teeth to break or tooth
enamel to splinter. |
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Say No to Soda
Always have a soda on hand? Carbonated drinks can be bad for your teeth,
because they tend to be very acidic. "Even if it's diet, the acidity of
[soda] is just corroding your enamel," Mello says. The effects of soda
on teeth are even worse if you slowly sip it over a long period of time.
"People don't realize they are bathing their teeth in acid for an hour,"
she adds. The acidity in soda can lead to dental health problems such as
decay around your gum line and loss of enamel. |
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Use Toothpicks Carefully
When used properly, toothpicks can help keep the areas between your
teeth clean. "If you do it carefully, [using toothpicks] is helpful,"
says Mello. "If you don't, you are going to hurt your gum tissue." So be
careful not to get too aggressive with that toothpick in your quest for
oral hygiene. According to Mello, nothing you do to your teeth or gums
should ever hurt — if it does, it may be damaging your teeth.
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Don't Brush Too Hard
Brushing your teeth regularly is part of good oral hygiene, but if you
brush too vigorously, you can cause more harm than good. Brushing your
teeth too hard can wear down enamel, irritate your gums, make your teeth
sensitive to cold, and even cause cavities. To avoid these problems,
Price recommends using a soft bristled toothbrush. "Just look for the
letters ADA [American Dental Association] on the box, which means the
bristles are firm enough to remove plaque, but soft enough not to cause
damage," he advises.
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Thumbs Down on Thumb Sucking
Children who still suck their fingers or thumbs after their permanent
teeth start coming in — usually around the age of 5 or 6 — could be
causing permanent changes that affect tooth and jaw structure.
Specifically, thumb sucking can cause a misalignment of the teeth,
explains Richard Price, DMD, a retired dentist from the Boston area who
is a consumer advisor and spokesperson for the American Dental
Association. This misalignment can lead to a number of issues, including
difficulty chewing and breathing problems — so help wean your child off
his thumb. |
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