15 Ways to Destroy Your Teeth, PART 4
This article, the final installment of a four-part series, examines 15 common habits and behaviors that could lead to the early demise of your pearly whites.
A Brief Recap:
This four-part article series has taken a look at 15 different bad habits and behaviors that could wreck your dental enamel and put your oral health at a severe risk. So far, the following bad habits have been identified:
1. Brushing your teeth immediately after eating,
2. Neglecting to floss,
3. Neglecting to see the dentist for regular check-ups,
4. Using your teeth as tools,
5. Not wearing your mouth guard,
6. Teeth grinding,
7. Drinking filtered water (without the trace elements fluoride and calcium),
8. Drinking soda, fruit juices, cola and energy drinks excessively,
9. Guzzling tea, coffee and red wine,
10. Frequent tooth whitening,
11. Lip and tongue piercings
In this article, the final installment of the series, we shall be looking at the last four bad habits you should do your very best to avoid, or overcome, should you wish to keep your teeth and gums in excellent lifelong condition.
12. Eating Disorders
The food we eat nourishes our body, keeping it strong, healthy and resilient to infection. By denying the body this fundamental source of nutrition, our vital organs and systems become compromised. Anorexia and bulimia both starve the body in this way, but the latter disease does incredible damage to the teeth. Repeated exposure to the stomach’s potent hydrochloric acid can strip the teeth of dental enamel, leaving the far more vulnerable underlying dentin exposed to bacteria and further acid erosion. Without proper nutrition, the body’s ability to stave off infection weakens and the result is that people who have eating disorders frequently present with complex dental problems and several missing teeth. This is ironic for a disease that is pivotal around one’s body image.
13. Tobacco Smoking and Chewing
The effects of smoking tobacco upon one’s oral and general health are well-researched and documented in medical literature. Smoking thickens the blood, retarding the healthy flow of nutrition to the teeth and gums. This not only prolongs healing (should one sustain an injury of some kind or undergo a dental procedure), but it also compromises the body’s ability to fight off infection. Smoking is also linked with a whole host of cancers, including oral cancer. Then there’s tooth discoloration, staining and heightened bacterial activity as a result of reduced saliva production: all problems caused by tobacco smoking and chewing. Perhaps it’s truly time to kick the habit!
14. Continue Using Certain Chronic Medications
Always be aware of the risks of using certain legal medications chronically. For example, oral contraceptives cause hormonal imbalances in women, rendering them more susceptible to developing an oral bacterial infection. By being aware of the risks, you can take the appropriate measures to ensure that your oral health doesn’t suffer. And remember to always mention to the dentist whether you are on any potentially risky chronic medications.
15. Drug Abuse
Illegal drug abuse, by any stretch of the imagination, just isn’t good for your body. There is a reason most seasoned drug users are missing at least one of their original adult teeth, if not most or all of them. By seeking help today, you will not only be adding years on to the quality of your smile, but to your life as well.
The post 15 Ways to Destroy Your Teeth, PART 4 appeared first on Kenneth R. Levine, DDS.
The post 15 Ways to Destroy Your Teeth, PART 4 appeared first on Kenneth R. Levine, DDS.
