When you were growing up, you may remember the adults around you telling you not to put certain things in your mouth. Even now that you’re older, you may be trying to get kids to take stuff out of their mouths. The ironic thing is that advice is still relevant as you age! Many objects can harm your precious pearly whites and cause some damage if you’re not careful. Keep reading to learn what items you should steer clear of chewing on to avoid a trip to your emergency dentist.
1.) Ice
Many people love to chew on ice, and you might be a part of that group. However, dentists generally advise breaking this habit since it can cause long-term damage. Tooth enamel is the strongest structure in the human body, but regularly biting into ice can cause small cracks.
Over time, this damage can turn into bigger problems and possibly fracture the tooth! The risk is even greater if you have any restoration, like a dental crown or filling. The bond can weaken and cause them to pop out, or allow bacteria to attack the natural tooth underneath.
2.) Bottle Caps
No matter if they are plastic or metal caps, they can put up a fight against your pearly whites. By using your teeth to try to unscrew or pop open a bottle, you can risk chipping them, and the motion of biting down on the top and twisting your mouth can put strain on your jaw. Doing this consistently can leave you with muscle pain and jaw problems.
3.) Fingernails
Your fingernails are made from a protein called keratin. It is strong and resilient that many animal hooves and horns are made of it! The more you bite down on your nails, the quicker your teeth wear down and create cracks that cause tooth sensitivity.
4.) Pens and Pencils
You may sometimes find yourself gnawing at the ends of your writing utensils if you are holding onto one. These tools do a great job of putting words or drawings on paper, but they are tough on your teeth and could break them! If you find yourself needing to chew something, sugar-free gum can offer a safe alternative.
Many things can damage your teeth when you bite into them. In fact, there are plenty more that this list doesn’t mention, but thankfully, there is a good rule of thumb to follow. Use your teeth for chewing food and not much else! Treat your smile with care, and you can avoid calling your dentist about an unfortunate dental emergency.
About the Practice
At Advanced Dental Concepts, you benefit from two dentists and a dental team that is here to help get your grin fixed up after a dental emergency. Dr. Danny Hayes and Dr. Allison Lent want all their patients to feel comfortable during these situations, so they make a custom treatment plan to get your teeth back to pristine. If you need emergency dental care, schedule an appointment or don’t hesitate to call us at (219) 926-7595.