When you’re looking for advice about what kind of air conditioning unit to install in your house, it makes sense to ask an HVAC repairman. If you’d like to know the best type of oven cooks most evenly, ask a chef. But if you’re looking for the top things to avoid putting in your mouth, you should definitely check with a dentist. After all, your dentist has not only seen it all, but they’ve got the educational credentials to back it up, too. So, before you put your teeth and gums in danger, check out this list of top six items your dentist will never put in their mouth, and you shouldn’t put in yours either!
Cigarettes
Cigarettes are dangerous to your overall health, but they’re especially risky for your oral health, too. Not only can they cause bad breath, tooth stains, and gum disease, but they can also cause potentially fatal oral cancer. Thus, to keep your teeth and gums safe and healthy, never smoke or vape, and if you do, quit as soon as you can.
Ice Cubes
While there’s no danger in sucking on an ice cube from time to time, the real danger occurs when you decide to start crunching on it. Your teeth were not designed to crush these cool cubes, and by doing so you could cause them to chip or crack. Therefore, be sure to avoid doing this, and if you can’t, use a straw so you’re not tempted to crunch.
Fingernails
Your teeth are not supposed to be used to trim fingernails and doing this can cause damage to them and your gums. Worse yet, it can even injure to your skin and nailbeds, too. When your nails get long, stick to the clippers or a nail file, and if you’re a stress-biter, look for healthy alternatives such as kneading dough or putty, diffusing relaxing essential oils, or practicing deep breathing exercises.
Other People’s Toothbrushes
Yes, this is as gross as it sounds, for many reasons. Sharing a toothbrush not only passes saliva and plaque back and forth, but it also can spread illness and the bacteria that causes cavities and gum disease. Don’t defeat the purpose of brushing by adding more dangers to your mouth and never share your toothbrush!
Hard Candy
Hard candy is delicious, but it’s also dangerous for your smile. That’s because not only does it extend the amount of time sugar coats your teeth, but many people don’t wait for their candy to completely dissolve, choosing instead to crunch it. Unfortunately, this can cause your teeth to break. Thus, if you can’t resist crunching, avoid this type of sweet altogether.
Tickets & Receipts
While this one may leave you scratching your head a bit, sometimes people put their parking lot ticket or store receipt in their mouth for a brief moment when fumbling for keys or payment. Unfortunately, this type of paper contains a lot of chemicals including BPA, which has been linked to cancer, obesity, and even heart disease. Therefore, never put this type of paper in your mouth, and never let your children do it, either!
Remember, your dentist’s goal is to help you benefit from their education and experience by not making the same mistakes they’ve seen other patients make. Don’t put your oral health at risk by putting these six surprisingly dangerous items in your mouth!
About Our Practice
At Vista Dental Care, we’re guided by three important principles: compassion, technology, and science. We believe that it is the combination of these three ideas that make for an excellent oral health experience, and that success can only be achieved when all are present. To see how we put these concepts to work for you, contact our team for an appointment today by visiting our website or calling us at 775-626-3535.