From eating ice and popcorn to having a cuppa… dentist reveals 7 habits that are destroying YOUR teeth
Dr Sameer Patel, clinical director at elleven, reveals how simple daily habits, that we spare no thought for, are damaging our oral health
IN the busy world in which we live, speed and convenience are often key.
Grabbing lunch on the go between busy meetings, rushing to there and everywhere - leaving little time to stop and take stock.
The likelihood is the last thing you will pay any attention to - bar once at the start of the day, and once just before bed - is your teeth.
Yet, many daily habits can prove disastrous for your smile, damaging your knashers - and leaving your pearly whites less than sparkling.
Here, Dr Sameer Patel, clinical director at elleven, a specialist dental and orthodontic practice, highlights seven daily habits that are particularly detrimental to your teeth.
1. Sipping on sugary drinks
It may seem like an obvious one - we all know sugar is bad for our teeth.
The evidence surrounding the damage fizzy drinks do to your teeth is unprecedented, Dr Patel noted.
But, it's not just fizzy drinks that should be avoided.
The juice from fruit and vegetables, especially fruit, tend to have a high acid content which severely damages the enamel of your teeth in a similar way to fizzy drinks
Dr Sameer Patel
With the trend for juicing taking over, green smoothies are all the rage for breakfast, snacking or for a post-gym nutritional boost.
Yet, Dr Patel warned in reality, consuming green juices on a regular basis can damage your oral health.
He said: "These green juices and smoothies are made by blending leafy green vegetables with fruit to sweeten the taste.
"The juice from fruit and vegetables, especially fruit, tend to have a high acid content which severely damages the enamel of your teeth in a similar way to fizzy drinks."
The juice from fruit and veg is considered to contain healthy acids.
But, this is only when they are eaten as a whole, rather than in concentrated juice form, Dr Patel warned,
"Adding milk, which is alkaline, to your smoothies can help to counteract the acid damage to teeth and its calcium rich properties can boost your oral health and strengthen teeth," he said.
"Fruit’s natural sugar, fructose, is also a common cause of cavities as the bacteria in the mouth feed on it, so be careful when you do consume juice as part of a balanced diet.
"Try to keep these drinks to a minimum and also make sure you drink through a straw.
"It is always best to try to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after consuming a green smoothie’.
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2. Chewing on Ice
It's likely something that has never even crossed your mind.
Getting to the end of your drink, and subconsciously crunching through the refreshing lumps of ice left behind.
But, ice chewers beware - the seemingly harmless habit can chip, or even crack your teeth.
"The pressure and sudden change in temperature can place stress on the tooth enamel, causing it to crack," said Dr Patel.
"A serious crack can even compromise the pulp or nerve within the tooth which can result in abscesses or tooth infection.
"It can also irritate the soft tissue inside your tooth, which may result in regular toothaches.
"Next time you get the urge for ice, reach for the sugarless chewing gum instead to avoid stress on the tooth enamel."
3. Mouth Piercings
Piercings adorning the tongue, lips and cheeks is causing serious dental issues, Dr Patel warned.
As well as infection, pain and swelling, and prolonged bleeding, the fashion statements can also get in the way of normal oral functions - speaking, eating and swallowing.
And they can also trigger gum disease, the gums to recede and bone loss, which leaves you more susceptible to decay and periodontal disease.
Playing with oral piercings has also been known to damage existing caps or crowns or leave people with chipped or cracked tooth enamel
Dr Patel
"These complications are often caused by incessantly playing with the piercing, making it more likely to cause irritation," said Dr Patel.
"Playing with oral piercings has also been known to damage existing caps or crowns or leave people with chipped or cracked tooth enamel."
The safest way to avoid the complications linked to mouth piercings is to avoid them altogether, he added.
"However, if you already have a piercing or are determined to get one, then ensure that you keep them clean, and alert your dentist at the first sign of any pain or discomfort," he said.
4. Eating popcorn
Popcorn has gone from snack food to superfood and has quickly become a go-to item for low-calorie snacking.
However, popcorn is not quite so nice to your teeth and if you take a bite into one of those un-cracked kernels there’s a high risk of breaking or cracking a tooth.
It’s also practically impossible not to get popcorn stuck in between your and if those tiny bits become lodged between teeth, it can lead to infection and even a rather nasty abscess.
5. Using your teeth as a tool
If you frequently use your teeth as a quick and convenient shortcut for removing a clothes label or for twisting off bottle caps, you could very quickly find yourself causing permanent dental damage and seeking dental treatment.
Dr Patel explained: "People often use their teeth as tools used for cutting, ripping and opening various objects, however this can cause serious stress and damage to the structure and strength of your teeth.
"Using your teeth as a tool carries the risk of fracturing a tooth."
When using your back teeth, the danger is you will damage a filling or crown, which can increase the risk of tooth decay.
"Serious cases will require patients to have their broken tooth removed and replaced with a dental implant," said Dr Patel.
6. Regular cups of piping hot tea and coffee
It's a vital part of all our days, that steaming hot cuppa in the morning.
And chances are you will reach for a caffeine hit at least two or three times more throughout the day.
But, did you know the sudden change in temperature can cause cracks in your teeth?
Drinking very hot and very cold drinks can also trigger toothache and quick stabs of pain too.
And Dr Patel warned the drinks are among the main culprits when it comes to staining the teeth, turning them an unpleasant yellow colour.
7. Playing sport without a mouth guard
It's a no brainer.
If you're playing sport you should wear a mouth guard. Yet, many don't.
Dr Patel said it's important to replace your gum guard at the start of each sporting season.
"Make you replace your mouth guard in case it has become damaged or weakened from extensive use," he said.
"It is also recommended that you get your mouth guard properly fitted by a dental professional where possible, as this allows for maximum protection for your teeth."
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