Dental emergencies are not always avoidable; however, there are things you can do to minimize your risk, especially when it comes to keeping certain things out of your mouth. While some might seem obvious, others might actually appear quite harmless. To know the difference, keep reading to learn which four things your dentist wants you to avoid so that you don’t suffer a serious dental injury.
Chewing on Pens and Pencils
When feeling stressed at work or struggling with writer’s block, chewing on pens and pencils might seem like the most accessible and least harmful thing you can do. Unfortunately, this isn’t true.
Biting down and grinding your teeth against plastic can be detrimental to your teeth, much in the same way that bruxism (teeth grinding) can be. Not only does it wear down your tooth enamel and cause minuscule fractures to occur, but it also causes overexertion of the jaw muscles and joints, which can eventually turn into temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD).
Another Person’s Toothbrush
If you want to avoid sharing bad oral bacteria with someone else, it’s best if you use your own toothbrush.
Sharing brushing utensils with others puts you at risk of serious tooth decay, as research shows that it is possible to pass it along to others. You may also get sick if you use the brush of someone who has recently had the flu or another similar virus.
Keeping your toothbrush to yourself and refusing to use anyone else’s is the best way to keep your teeth and gums from being exposed to other harmful particles that can lead to toothaches and potential cavities.
Highly Acidic Foods
Lemons and other citrus foods may taste good; however, their contents can be damaging to your tooth enamel.
The pH balance inside your mouth is important. If it is thrown off in any way, it can lead to a breakdown of tooth enamel and other potential problems. Choosing to suck on or bite down on lemons, oranges, or other acidic foods puts your smile at risk.
This can lead to tooth sensitivity and additional damage, resulting in the need for restorative care.
Fingernails
Another coping mechanism for stress is biting your fingernails. If this is a go-to habit for you, it’s time to break it. Not only does it cause small breaks to occur in the tooth enamel, much like chewing on inanimate objects, but it also creates an excess grinding of your teeth, which wears away the enamel and causes pain to form in the jaw.
Not to mention, there is much dirt found beneath the nails, so continuing to put your hands in your mouth will only increase your risk of illness.
Your smile deserves to look and feel good day after day. By taking simple precautions and avoiding certain habits, you can maintain a damage-free smile and avoid the emergency dental office.
About Grand Dental – Aurora
At Grand Dental – Aurora, our team consists of multiple dental experts who are well-versed in delivering timely, immediate care to individuals looking to maintain healthier smiles. While not all dental emergencies can be avoided, we are pleased to offer tips that are designed to minimize risks and prevent damage daily. If you or a loved one would like to learn more about keeping smiles safe, visit our website or call (630) 538-8302 to find out how we can help.