3 Things That Are Hurting Your Teeth

 

Things That Affect

There are many things that can hurt your teeth. Not brushing and flossing on a regular basis is one, avoiding visits to my dental office in Lewisburg is another. But some things are not as obvious and just and harmful.

As we discuss some of the ways you could be hurting your teeth, you’ll notice one of them is actually good for you. So don’t stop doing it! Instead, continue to live a healthy lifestyle and add additional steps to counteract any damage these activities could have on your grin.

  1. Cardiovascular Exercise

Cardio exercise is a crucial practice for any healthy body. But it can also be dangerous for your smile. A recent study by a team of scientists in Germany found that those who participated in endurance training, specifically prolonged periods of cardio, had more tooth erosion than those who did not exercise. Additionally, the more time spent doing cardio a week, the more risk for cavities and decay. If cardio is so good for the rest of your body, why is it so bad for your smile? Cardio naturally reduces the amount of saliva produced. Saliva is crucial to fighting acid, and without it, the chance for cavities greatly increases. To counteract this, try chewing sugarless gum during workouts.

  1. Chewing Ice

Crunching ice can be refreshing, especially in the summer heat. But chewing ice cubes is seriously bad for your teeth. Ice is hard, cold, and not made for crunching. Your teeth can withstand a lot, they’re made for chewing after all, but ice isn’t something you should snack on. The texture is too hard for teeth and the extreme temperature changes leave your teeth at prime risk for developing cracks where bacteria can hide and decay can develop. What’s more, if cracks are left alone and ice crunching continues, you may crack off a piece of tooth. Leave the ice in the cup and sip the water once they’re melted.

  1. Lemonade

Another summer favorite is sipping a cold lemonade after a hot day of working outside. While certainly refreshing, lemonade is the ideal mixture to encourage decay. Begin with acid, which lemons are full of, and sugar, also often found in lemonade, mix them together and sip slowly, you’re fueling the bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria feed on sugar, acid erodes enamel, and decay is almost guaranteed. Choose water with lemon slices instead.

Everyone at my Lewisburg dental office wants to provide you with all the knowledge you need to keep your mouth as healthy as possible. If you partake in these potentially dangerous activities, ask us about some ways you can counteract the smile-damaging threats.

Accepting patients from Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, Williamsport, and surrounding neighborhoods.

Nervous About the Dentist? Top 4 Pointers to Help

relax at dentistMaybe it’s the sound of the drill. Perhaps it’s the smell. Or it could be a lingering bad memory. No matter the reason, the fact remains that 80 million Americans aren’t getting the dental care they need because of dental fear. At my dental office in Lewisburg, we recognize this very real anxiety, we understand, and we’d like to help.

Avoiding the dentist can have serious effects on your oral and whole-body health. Many whole-body ailments are linked to oral health, and not taking proper care of one directly influences the other. Gum disease, for example, can lead to other problems including heart disease, increased risk for strokes, and even cancer. This connection makes conquering dental fear extremely important for a long and healthy life.

How to Ease Dental Nervousness

  • Talk to Friends and Family. Speaking with those close to you about their dental experiences and their individual dentists can not only help ease some concerns, it can start you on the journey to finding the right dentist for you. Ask friends or family members what they like about their dentists, check the doctors out online, and read reviews. Then pick up the phone and schedule an appointment. This is always the first step towards easing anxieties.
  • Be Honest. Honesty goes a long way, especially when we’re talking about your health. Be honest with the dental team from your first phone call. Make sure they know you’re not 100% comfortable or relaxed about visiting. Then once you get there, talk with them and the doctor about your fears. Dental anxiety is common and dental teams have training to help.
  • Keep Talking. One of the most important things you can do is establish trust with your dentist in Lewisburg. Talk to him and ask questions. Make sure he understands your concerns. He should talk to you about each treatment, what to expect, and even discuss a signal to use if you do become anxious during treatment.
  • Bring a Distraction. Sometimes, being in the dental chair alone can trigger nervousness. Your mouth is open, you’re lying back, someone’s hands are in your mouth, and it can feel very claustrophobic. Some practices offer patient comforts for exactly this reason. If your dentist doesn’t, bring some music or an audio book, practice deep breathing, or put on some sunglasses.

If you’ve been suffering from dental anxiety, give my Lewisburg dental office a call. We’ll never lecture you or make you feel embarrassed. In fact, we’ll talk with you about your concerns and work together to get you the care you need, all while ensuring you’re at ease and comfortable every step of the way.

Serving patients from Lewisburg, Selinsgrove, and Williamsport.