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Little things doing big bad things to your teeth

September 25, 2015

Little things can cause big problems. Think about termites. About the size of small ants, these ferocious eaters can silently destroy a whole house. And a small, hardly noticeable crack can quickly grow to consume your whole windshield. Your teeth are also affected by seemingly small things that can really take a toll.

Here are some little things that are doing big bad things to your teeth:

Not using scissors

Skipping the scissors and using your teeth to rip off price tags from new clothing has sent many people to the dental chair. Other big no-no’s to avoid include opening up plastic packaging, or potato chip bags with your teeth, or even worse, using your teeth as a bottle opener. All of these activities can easily lead to cracks or chips in your teeth. Remember, your teeth are not designed to be tools. Using them for ripping, tearing, or opening is very hard on your pearly whites.

Flossing with a vengeance

We all know that flossing every day is extremely important. But did you know that brushing-alone misses 40% of the surfaces of your teeth? That’s a lot! So, definitely make sure to floss. And tonight when you are flossing, give yourself a quick look in the mirror. Does your flossing look mildly violent? Make sure you are not flossing too vigorously or using a saw-like motion. This could cause bleeding, and cut or damage your gum line. Instead, watch this video from the ADA on how to floss like a boss! Yes, we really did just write that. A boss.

Being a human ice breaker

Ice is 32 degrees. Your mouth is 98.6 degrees. This difference alone subjects your teeth to an extreme range in temperatures, causing slight expansions and contractions. And while all that science is going on, if you start chomping and crushing ice with your teeth, you could be causing micro-fractures in your enamel. And like that windshield crack, those fractures will grow and grow.

Not visiting the dentist

You buy all the best dental products. You brush twice a day and you always floss. You gave up sugared drinks, and for your birthday, you asked for a waterpik! You’re a teeth fanatic, so maybe you can skip a trip or two to the dentist? The truth is, no matter how diligent you are, your teeth probably need more. Even with the best of intentions, some people will still get gum disease, cavities or worse. It’s always good to have a professional take a look.

Routine preventative visits to the dentist help find and fix small problems before they worsen with time.

Which makes two little visits a year, a pretty darn big deal!