When is the last time you saw a dentist? When is the last time you used your teeth for something other than eating? When is the last time you chewed on ice? If you are answering yes to these questions you have some bad habits that could cause dental health issues.

Did you know that 20% of us have one or more cavities – they aren’t taken care of because one of the bad habits that hurt your smile is avoiding the dentist! Here are a few more habits that may sound familiar:

• Crunching ice – Most people who chomp on ice don’t even realize they are doing it. Talk about something being a habit! Chewing on ice is especially bad for teeth because of the combination of cold and hard. The extreme cold can make our teeth more susceptible to breaking and frozen water is a really hard surface to bite into. The combination can have devastating effects on teeth including cracks, breakage and chips. Add in the fact that extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, make those old mercury amalgam fillings expand and contract and you are creating all sorts of problems. Stop crunching the ice and save your smile.
• Using teeth instead of tools. Raise your hand if you have ever used your teeth to open a bag of chips or to “tighten” a loose link in a necklace. Some people use their teeth instead of pliers for all sorts of things – even opening stuck bottle tops – ouch! If you use your teeth instead of the appropriate tool you will eventually break a tooth. Keep the scissors handy for those plastic bags and put some pliers in the kitchen junk drawer where they are within easy reach. A broken tooth can be painful and if it is badly damaged, may need to be removed. This means replacement with a bridge or a dental implant. Keep your teeth and use the tools instead.
• Sugary soda habit – Do you keep a can of soda on your desk and take little sips throughout the day? That is one of the worse things you can do for your smile. The acids from the soda soften the tooth enamel and the sugar feeds the oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease. If you want to drink a soda then you should drink it as quickly as possible and rinse your mouth with water when finished. When your mouth is free of acid and sugar your saliva can start working to harden your dental enamel again.

One healthy habit for your smile is regular visits to your dental hygienist along with daily brushing and flossing. Please contact Columbus cosmetic dentist Dr. Mark Levy today at 614-476-6696 to schedule your next dental hygiene visit.