5 Things You Should Never Do with Your Teeth

Your teeth are instrumental to your health and well being. Teeth that are well-maintained and in good condition are able to chew nutritious foods. They give you a sense of confidence when you smile.

While tooth enamel is the strongest substance in the body, it still can be susceptible to damage in certain conditions. If you want to avoid a situation in which you need extensive treatment from your dentist, there are certain things that you should never do with your teeth.

Importance of Healthy Teeth in Good Condition

A healthy smile is the gateway to a healthy body in many ways. First of all, when your teeth are intact and whole, they are more effective at important tasks like chewing, which allows you to get adequate nutrition for your body.

Additionally, bacteria that originates in your smile, such as in tooth decay or gum disease, can potentially access the bloodstream and spread throughout the body. This can cause a life-threatening condition called sepsis. This is another compelling reason to work with your dentist and take good care of your teeth.

Avoid Doing These Things with Your Teeth

In order to protect your teeth from damage, avoid the following actions:

• Chewing on non-food objects: Your teeth are designed to chew food, not hard objects like pencils, fingernails and even ice cubes. When you chew on these non-food items, you may crack or chip your teeth.
• Using your teeth as tools: Similarly, your teeth were not designed to open packages or hold heavy items, so don’t use them for this purpose in order to avoid the damage that can occur.
• Eating too much sugar: Oral bacteria feed on sugar, so when your diet is heavy on sweets, it can provide nourishment to organisms that cause harm to your teeth and gums.
• Using tobacco: Tobacco is associated with inflammation, which can put you at increased risk for gum disease. Not to mention that tobacco use also tends to leave behind unattractive stains on your teeth.
• Using improper oral hygiene techniques: Believe it or not, you can overdo it with brushing. Brushing too hard can actually cause your teeth to break down. The next time you see your dentist, check in to make sure that you’re using the proper technique.

Another important strategy for taking care of your teeth is to get adequate routine care, like checkups and dental cleanings, every six months. If you need to get back on track with your preventive care, call Kozlow & Rowell Dentistry today to schedule an appointment.