While you may be going about your daily life without ever thinking about how your everyday habits are damaging your health, there are lots of small things that can still be having a negative effect. As a result of these habits, around 25% of adult Americans over the age of 60 are missing an entire mouthful of teeth!
Here at Denver Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, it’s important to us that you don’t become a part of this 25%.
Habits That Are Damaging Your Teeth
Below are a few ways you can work on improving your oral health:
- Harmful Drinks – It should come as no surprise that soda is harmful to your teeth. Even sugar-free sodas can cause problems for your dental health. This is due to the acidity of soda, which is harmful to the enamel of your teeth. In addition to soda, sugary juices and alcoholic beverages have also been known to cause dental problems. If you do choose to drink these beverages, be sure to brush your teeth or rinse your mouth with water afterward.
- Sugary Foods – Sugary foods can wreak absolute havoc on your teeth. This is because the bacteria that live in your mouth feed on the sugar. In the process, the bacteria produce harmful acids, which will break down and weaken your tooth enamel. Once the enamel has become weakened, it makes you more vulnerable to dental cavities and tooth decay. If you eat a high-sugar diet, it’s important to make sure you’re practicing good oral hygiene.
- Dangerous Sports & Activities – There are a number of ways that you can damage your teeth during your everyday activities. For example, if you use your teeth as tools to open packages or bottle caps, if you smoke cigarettes or chew chewing tobacco, or if you take certain medications that are known to cause dry mouth. Lastly, many sports activities can cause damage to the teeth. Because of this, you should always be sure to wear a sports guard during contact sports or other physical activities.
It’s important to us that you retain a mouth full of healthy and beautiful teeth for a lifetime! For more information about your dental health or to make an appointment with Dr. Matthew Schacht, please contact Denver Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
