Ideally, your teeth will last for life, but it’s worth being aware of harmful habits. Listed below are some habits that are best avoided if you’d like to maintain a healthy smile.

Failing to Use a Mouthguard While Playing Sports
Every year thousands of people suffer from chipped or broken teeth or, even worse, will lose teeth entirely. Often, these sporting accidents can be avoided or the damage at least minimized with a well-fitting sports mouthguard in Whitby. Our dentists can make you a custom-fitted mouthguard that is comfortable to wear and which offers maximum protection. It’s a worthwhile investment if you are playing any form of sport way you could take a blow to the mouth.

Tongue Piercings
Tongue piercings and oral piercings, in general, can harm teeth. People with tongue piercings will often click them against their teeth, unaware that they are gradually chipping these teeth. Also, oral piercings in the tongue or lips can rub against gums, gradually damaging them. Then there is the risk of infection when you have the actual piercing, or that the piercing could damage a large blood vessel in the tongue.

Bedtime Bottles for Babies
Good oral care starts early, as soon as that very first tooth appears and one harmful habit is sending kids to bed with a bottle of milk, formula or juice. Although it may be soothing, the sugary liquid will coat their teeth overnight, greatly increasing the risk of tooth decay. Even though these primary teeth are replaced with adult teeth, it’s vitally important to protect them and to ensure they aren’t lost too early, and toothache is painful at any age. If you do have a young child, be sure to schedule their first dental visit in Oshawa between ages one and two. Here at Margolian Dentistry, we all love seeing kids and go out of our way to ensure every visit is fun and relaxing.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching
Do you wake up with sore teeth, a painful jaw and perhaps a chronic headache? Have you noticed increased tooth sensitivity or that your teeth have begun to look worn or chipped? You could have bruxism, a condition where you clench and grind your teeth during sleep. It’s an extremely destructive habit that can even result in tooth loss, so if you recognize any of these symptoms, come and see us. Our Ajax dentist can soon tell if you have signs of bruxism and we can make a custom-made night splint to prevent this habit and protecting your teeth.

Sipping on Pop
Sipping continually on a pop can greatly damage your teeth, potentially causing tooth decay. Most pop contains high levels of sugar, and you aren’t safe switching to the diet versions. Diet pop may not contain sugar, but it’s been replaced with phosphoric and citric acid, both of which will damage your tooth enamel and increase your risk of cavities. Instead of pop, choose plain water. It may take a while to get used to, but water is far better for rehydration.

Snacking Frequently
Lots of people like a snack and especially if they are on the go and find it difficult to stop for a proper meal. However, eating lots of smaller snacks increases your risk of tooth decay because your mouth is more acidic for longer. Every time you eat something that contains carbohydrates or sugars, these are used by plaque bacteria for energy, and they produce acid as a by-product. If you fancy a snack, try to choose something that will not harm your teeth such as fresh crunchy fruits and veggies, and sugar-free dairy products are also excellent for dental health.