Break These Habits and Protect Your Teeth!

Do You Have Habits to Break to Protect Your Teeth?

Family Dentistry with Dr. Schmitz, Dr. Fickas , Dr. Fabiano and Dr. Biggerstaff promote healthy teeth for a lifetime.  Bad habits that many people do on a daily basis can wreak havoc to their teeth.  Are you aware of these bad habits?  1.  Snacking on food constantly during the day can increase the amount of bacteria in the mouth and lead to an increase in the development of cavities.  Remember to not allow your mouth to  have food constantly and allow the saliva in the mouth to help neutralize the mouth and  prevent cavities.  2. Limit the amount of fruit juices in your diet.  Fruit juices contain a lot of acid and sugars and can be harmful to the teeth.  The increase of acid and sugar can result in increase chance of cavities developing.  Promoting water in your diet is a better way to give your body the water it needs for homeostasis while also protecting the teeth.  3. Include fluoride in your dental routine when you brush your teeth, visit the dentist as well as drink water that contains fluoride.  Fluoride is a great mineral that is necessary for tooth development as well as protection of the teeth.  Fluoride is a mineral that is harder than calcium.   4. Do not let young children take a bottle to bed filled with milk or juice.  The milk or juice that is in their mouth while they sleep can create cavities in their mouth.  If they need a drink at bedtime, promote the drinking of water only in a sippy cup.  5. Do not chew on ice or hard food items such as popcorn kernels.  Over time, chewing on these hard items can create cracks in the teeth and will lead to further damage requiring the loss of the tooth or even crowns needed or repairs to the teeth.  6.  Do not chew on pencils or utilize your teeth to open jars or any item.  Teeth are meant to chew food and not to be used as a tool.  Again, utilizing your teeth in this manner can break teeth and require extensive dental work to repair the tooth.    Drs. Ogle, Schmitz, Hart, & Fickas encourage a life of healthy habits to protect your teeth.  If you are having difficulty with your teeth,  please contact us at 812-853-3313 so that we can assist with your dental needs.