September 24, 2018

As you may know, enamel is the hardest and most highly mineralized substance in the human body, covering the outer layer of each tooth. This is why people are often confused as to how teeth can break. Not to mention, people often think that this sort of thing only happens to other people, and are rather surprised if it happens to them.

The bottom line is this: everyone is at risk if they don’t take proper care of their teeth. This applies to adults, as well as children.

Here are the main reasons why your teeth could be in danger of breaking:

Decay. If your teeth are decaying from the over-consumption of sugary foods and beverages in conjunction with plaque buildup, they are at a much greater risk of breaking. Too much sugar creates an acid which softens your tooth enamel. This can then also spread to the dentin that is underneath your enamel and form a hole.

Acidic Food & Drink. Over-consumption of acidic foods such as vinegar (in salad dressings or in pickled foods), citrus fruits, and alcohol all lead to dental erosion.

Biting Hard Food or Objects. If you bite something that is particularly hard, such as ice, a fruit pit (cherry, plum, peach), or some other random object like a pen or mouth piercing. You may be doing these things without really even thinking about it…which is why it is so important to be aware.

Opening a Bottle with Your Teeth. Many people think this is a cool trick to do to show off to friends. It’s not going to be very cool when you hurt yourself or break your tooth and then have to go through the discomfort and expense of having it repaired or replaced with a dental implant. Now, that gives the word “ouch” new meaning!

Tearing Off Stubborn Price Tags from Your Clothes. Even if you have been doing this type of thing for years…it doesn’t mean that it isn’t doing damage that will eventually catch up to you. Investing in a pair of scissors is a much smarter (and healthier) idea.

Not Wearing a Mouthguard While Playing Sports. There is no question that you need to protect your teeth while playing any type of contact sport. Back in the day, so many athletes lost their teeth (especially hockey players) from lack of teeth protection. There is no excuse now as to why you would choose to not protect your teeth. Think of it as a privilege.

Grinding Teeth at Night. This is often due to stress and anxiety, so if you are suffering from these things, it is a good idea to find ways to deal with them. Getting to the root of the problem is key. That said, if you do grind your teeth at night, protect them with a mouthguard. A plastic retainer helps too, if you may use one after Invisalign treatments for example.

Everyone is putting themselves at risk if they don’t take precautionary measures or proper care of their teeth. We can’t emphasize the importance of dental care enough.

Remember, once your enamel is lost, it’s gone forever. Take good care of your teeth, eat healthy, and see your dentist for regular checkups and cleanings every 6 months. If something feels off in your mouth, you don’t have to wait six months. It is always in your best interest to book an appointment asap so that your dentist can check things out and fix the problem before it escalates.

For family, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry in Surrey, call us at Healthy Smiles Family Dentistry: 604-593-8201. We would love to have you as a new patient!