At Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati, we want all our patients to protect their teeth against unnecessary damage. Here are some things to keep in mind, and to never do!
1. Chewing on hard foods
We’re looking at you, unpopped popcorn kernels and hard candy.
2. Chewing on hard things
This includes fingernails, pencils, pen caps, and ice.
3. Grinding your teeth
If you grind your teeth, discuss it with your dentist. An appliance can guard your smile.
4. Eating too much sticky food
Gummy candy, dried fruit, and even protein bars can break teeth.
5. Drinking anything besides water frequently
If your teeth are bathed in soda (sugared or diet), juice, coffee, or sports drinks consistently, you are asking for dental problems.
6. Playing sports without a mouthguard
Sports pose a major risk of tooth damage. Most children are required to wear a protective mouthguard on the playing field. But fewer adults wear mouthguards for recreational activities like mountain biking and skiing. Stock types are ready-made and rarely fit well. Custom-fitted mouthguards from your dentist are more comfortable than the cheap boil-and-bite type.
7. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
A hard-bristled tooth brush can weaken teeth and cause gums to pull away. Brush away food bits and plaque with a soft (or extra-soft) toothbrush.
8. Ignoring dry mouth
Saliva is important. Saliva rinses food fragments off of teeth and helps neutralize acids. It also helps clean the teeth of leftover food bits, helping to prevent plaque buildup. Constant dry mouth, or xerostomia, can lead to decay. Talk to your dentist if you have dry mouth frequently.
9. Using teeth as tools
Use scissors to open a string cheese or pry the lid of a medicine bottle. Use a nutcracker if you are eating unshelled nuts. A quality dental crown can cost over eight hundred dollars.
10. Ignoring bad breath
Bad breath is often caused by bacteria build-up in the mouth. It might be a symptom of accelerating decay. Discuss it with your dentist. (Don’t be embarrassed. We treat bad breath all the time.)
11. Ignoring jaw pain
If you suffer from jaw pain or notice a clicking sound, be sure to schedule an appointment with your dentist immediately! These symptoms can be signs of a serious condition called temporomandibular disorder or TMD.
Have you already broken or chipped a tooth? We can repair it at Endres Gateway Dentistry in Cincinnati. There are a number of treatments available. Our services include family and restorative dentistry, and we treat patients from Loveland, Blue Ash, Montgomery OH, and the surrounding area. Call today!
Contact Endres Gateway Dentistry:
513-791-8880
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
9380 Montgomery Rd Ste 204
Cincinnati, Ohio
45242
