Do you use your teeth as a tool for opening packages, cracking nuts, pulling of price tags or untying knots? There are more us that do those things than will admit it probably, or do it without even realizing it. Your teeth are actually for chewing foods though and using them for anything other than that can be damaging to them. Yes, our teeth are a strong bone, but they need better treatment than we give them. With that being said, the dental team at Reflections Dental Care offers some advise on things to change your ways a little bit if not quit all together:
Many of us have an unconscious habit of chewing ice. This can not only crack your teeth but it can injure your gums too. Often times the damage is so severe, it is necessary to have crowns put in place. Reflections Dental Care recommends that if you are one of those ice eaters, find something else! Apples, baby carrot and sugarless gum are some more ideal items to crunch. You may also want to bring this habit up with your medical doctor as well, chewing ice is sometimes a sign of iron-deficiency anemia, which is just as serious as the damage you are causing your teeth and gums. No matter the reason you are chewing ice though – QUIT IT!
Using your teeth as a pair of scissors or a knife can be handy when trying to cut string or pull tags of things. Did you know that the plastic string on price tags can put a divot in your teeth though? Then before you know it, you are making an appointment at Reflections Dental Care to fix a cracked or fractured tooth later.
Another unsuspecting enemy of your teeth is toothpicks. While they can be used as a substitute for dental floss, you can damage your gums easily if you are insistent on picking out a piece of food. Break a piece of that toothpick off between your teeth, you’ll have an even bigger problem than that piece of corn that was stuck. Your dental professionals at Reflections Dental Care recommend rounded toothpicks. They are less likely to cause as much damage, but you still need to use them with care.
Another habit that is not only bad on your teeth but is unsanitary as well is picking up a pen or pencil and putting it in your mouth. First of all, why would you pick up something that’s been lying around and put it in your mouth to start with when you don’t know where it’s been? Second of all, writing instruments are not made for chewing on, they are made for writing. Chewing these instruments can fracture teeth and cause the need for extensive dental repairs. Reflections Dental Care suggests if you need something to chew on while concentrating, sugarless gum should be your choice.
