30 Everyday Mistakes You’re Probably Making That Can Ruin Your Teeth Lambeth Hochwald ( courtecy; reader's digest )

30 Everyday Mistakes You’re Probably Making That Can Ruin Your Teeth Lambeth Hochwald ( courtecy;- reader's digest )

30 Everyday Mistakes You’re Probably Making That Can Ruin Your Teeth

Lambeth Hochwald

Are you chomping a pencil right now as you read this? Stop—right now. Or so say our experts who want you to do 30 things to protect your pearly whites.

Chomping on ice

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There are so many habits dentists wish you’d change when it comes to taking care of your teeth. But one of the biggies? Chewing ice which can chip away at fragile tooth enamel. “It can also crack teeth already weakened from restoration work,” says Harold Katz, DDS, who holds degrees in dentistry and bacteriology. Instead of chomping on ice cubes, ask for crushed ice if this is a habit you just can’t quit and know this: A cracked tooth may lead to a exposed tooth nerve that might even lead to a root canal. Be aware of these things that your dentist needs you to start doing differently.

Putting your teeth through a temperature rollercoaster

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There’s something about pairing pizza and a cold drink—whether that’s a soda or beer—that seems like a great idea but can also set your teeth up for trouble as the hot temp expands your tooth enamel and the cold temp contracts it. “Eating hot and then cold foods won’t damage teeth per se but many people will notice exaggerated sensitivity with this combo,” says Leslie Renee Townsend, DDS, regional dental director for the Jefferson Dental Clinics in Dallas of tooth sensitivity that affects about 45 million people. “Keep in mind that a shooting or sharp pain while eating or drinking is a sign of a much greater problem such as a cracked tooth or advanced decay—this isn’t something you should ignore.” One solution: Consider eating your pizza with a knife and fork and blowing on it first to tone down the temperature. Making your own pizza? Consider one of these healthy pizza toppings.

Reaching for certain drinks

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Certain drinks are more apt to stick to your teeth and erode enamel and this list includes sports drinks, sodas (including diet, which you should probably stop drinking all together) and wine. “In fact, wine tasters and sommeliers are known to have incredibly eroded teeth because of the high levels of acidity in wine,” says Anna Jotkowitz, a dental surgeon and instructor at Harvard Dental School. One solution: Pair your wine with cheese to minimize the damage caused by wine’s acid, says David Genet, DMD, a periodontist in Aventura, Florida.

Dipping into the caramel (and gummy bear) bag

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Sticky candies like caramels and gummy bears can not only dislodge fillings but they can get stuck in and around your teeth. “These candies can lodge in the natural grooves of the teeth which makes them even more likely to cause decay,” says Jotkowitz. Tip: If you just can’t quit your Swedish Fish habit, always brush, floss, and rinse right after eating them—and here are some healthier candy options to try.

Aiming for the whitest smile

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Over bleaching and over whitening using over-the-counter kits can end up being quite damaging to our teeth. “It can lead to enamel loss and therefore prompt permanent tooth sensitivity,” Katz says. “Always test the product first and then, if it doesn’t cause sensitivity, follow the directions exactly as written.” And, when in doubt, skip the bleaching products and consider natural whiteners such as cauliflower and, even, strawberries.

Chewing pencils

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It’s a nervous habit we all need to skip—for the sake of our teeth. “You’re not ‘Bucky Beaver,’” Katz says. “This can cause stress fractures to your teeth.” A better option: Squeeze a stress ball during times of stress or munch on a healthy snack like almonds to keep you occupied, suggests Victoria Veytsman, DDS, a dentist at Cosmetic Dental Studios in New York City. Here are expert-approved stress management tips to find the calm in your life.

Using your teeth to rip things open

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It’s tempting to use your teeth to nibble your nails, rip price tags off clothing, or open a bag of chips, but you’re putting your teeth at risk. “You may even chip your teeth doing this,” says Mehdi Karimipour, DMD, a dentist in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts. Use nail clippers and scissors for all of these tasks instead.

Avoiding proper tongue ‘posture’

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By keeping your tongue on the roof of your mouth, you’ll discover that you don’t clench as much. In fact, if your tongue rests properly it can help you relax your jaw. To try this out: Gently rest your tongue along the roof of your mouth similarly to the way it would rest when you make a ‘cluck’ sound.