Be Kind To Your Chompers: How To Protect Your Teeth
If you're worried about losing your teeth prematurely or causing damage that will require extensive dental work, you might need to make some changes in your life. You might not realize this, but the actions you take on a day-to-day basis have a direct impact on the condition of your teeth. In other words, the things you do every day can either help or harm your teeth. If you're worried about your teeth, here are four steps you can take to protect them.
Take the Symptoms Seriously
When it comes to caring for your teeth, one of the most important things you can do is take the symptoms seriously. Even those minor dental issues that pop up should be taken seriously, and addressed quickly. If you've developed bleeding gums, or you've got some minor discomfort around one tooth, you need to be seen by a dentist. Those may seem like minor problems, but they could escalate into major concerns without the proper care.
Keep Your Fingers Out of Your Mouth
If you want to take care of your teeth, keep your fingers out of your mouth. This might not seem like a major issue, but it is. Each time you put your fingers in your mouth, your introducing thousand of germs that could cause dental infections. Not only that but if you're putting your fingers in your mouth so you can bite your nails, you're increasing your risk of tooth damage. You might not know this, but biting your nails not only wears down the enamel on your teeth, but it can also cause small chips and cracks to develop. Take care of your teeth by keeping your fingers out of your mouth.
Leave the Ice in Your Glass
If you're like the thousands of people who like to eat ice, you need to stop. Not only does ice have virtually no nutritional value, but it's also harmful to your teeth. Eating ice wears down the enamel on your teeth, makes them susceptible to chips and breaks, and exposes the nerves in your teeth to potential damage. If you want to avoid dental problems, leave the ice in your glass.
Don't Let Your Dentist Become a Stranger
If you can't remember what your dentist looks like, it's been too long since your last dental visit. You may not like going to the dentist, but your teeth do. In fact, your teeth are depending on you to go to the dentist at least twice a year. Be kind to your teeth. Don't let your dentist become a stranger.