19 Things That Make You Go “Ooh!”

There are quite a few reasons why we end up with tooth decay and if not prevented using early intervention, it means a trip to the dentist.  Health is important, folks! Period. Here are some reasons why we end up with tooth decay:

1. Hard Ice

Eating ice might seem harmless, after all it is calorie free. However, eating hard ice can chip or crack your teeth.   It may also cause sensitivity to certain foods.  Suggestion:  Shaved or crushed ice if you have to eat something icy or chew gum instead.

2. Dangerous Sports

When playing any contact sport and not wearing a mouthguard, teeth can get chipped or knocked out, yikes!  Please buy a mouthguard or get a custom made one from your dentist.

3. Baby Bottle

Giving your baby a bottle of juice or formula at bedtime may increase the risk of decay on those little teeth.  Try not to let the little ones go to sleep with bottles in their mouth.

4. Piercings

Piercing the tongue and lip can crack a tooth if you accidentally bite down on these metals. The metal can also cause gum damage leading to infection and sores.  Discuss with your dentist on how to prevent such things from occurring if you chose to have piercings.

5. The Grind

Grinding teeth may be due to stress but it can wear the teeth down.  Try to maintain a low to moderate level of stress, skip hard foods to reduce the pain and wear a mouthguard to prevent further damage.

6. Cough Drops

Cough drops may help with a cold but it’s packed with sugar.   Brush after eating and hopefully you’ll have a soothed throat and no cavities.

7. Cute Gummies

Who can resist gummy bears?  Eating too much sugary treats can cause tooth decay. Gummies tend to stick to your teeth storing the sugar that creates acids that wear away enamel. Eat a couple during meal and the extra saliva will help wash away any acids.

8. The Fizz

Sodas not only have 11 tsp of sugar per serving but it also contains phosphoric and citric acids, which wear away tooth enamel.  Try diet soda or limit your intake.

9. Ripping It With Your Teeth

Teeth should be used for eating but some love to multitask by opening bottle caps or plastic packets with their teeth. Instead of ending up with a chipped or cracked tooth, use scissors and bottle opener, and save yourself a trip to the dentist.

10. Sports Drinks

Sports drinks are great after a workout but high in sugar. Stick to the water, it’s usually free and no calories.

11. Juicy

Fruit juices are great source for vitamins and antioxidants and not to mention sugar.  Some actually have the same amount of sugar as in soda.  Try eating the actual fruit or dilute juice with water.

12. Chips

You can’t have just one.  When you’re downing a bag of chips remember that the bacteria in the plaque between your teeth can break down starchy chips into acid and attack teeth.  Your best bet is flossing. It will loosen any sticky plaque around the tooth to reduce acid.

13. Snacks

Constant snacking leaves more food bits in the mouth and potential to create more plaque.  Avoid constant snacking and try healthier alternative like baby carrots.

14. Chew Toy

Nervous? Chewing on pencils and pens can have the effect as eating ice. Chewing on these objects can chip or crack a tooth.  A better option is chewing sugar free gum, which creates the flow of saliva to reduce enamel eating acid in mouth.

15. Caffeine Fix

Drinking coffee or tea can cause yellowing or staining of the teeth over time.  An easy fix is using whitening toothpaste to alleviate discoloration or visit dentist to get teeth whitened.

16. Smoke Out

Cigarette and tobacco products can stain and cause the lost of teeth due to gum disease. Tobacco can cause cancer of the mouth lips and tongue. These things are great reasons to quit tobacco products altogether.

17. Red Wines

Acids in wine to wear away tooth enamel and cause your teeth to be stained. Drink in moderation and don’t forget to brush.

18. White Wines

It may not stain your teeth but it still has acids that allow other beverages to stain your teeth. Again you need to brush.

19. Binge Eating

Eating excessive amounts of sweets and then purging can wreck havoc on your tooth.  Strong acids found in vomit can erode teeth weakening them.  It also causes bad breath and a host of serious health problem.  Talk to your doctor to help you find treatment.

Original Source: Reviewed by Alfred D. Wyatt Jr., DMD on April 14, 2014