12 Things That Can Damage Your Teeth More Than Sugar

We spend more than 82 days brushing our teeth during our lifetime. However, brushing is not enough to protect them from all possible dangers. Swimming in a pool or nail biting, for example, are not as harmless for our teeth as we think. We decided to find out what things can damage our teeth, and we’ve put together a list of foods it’s best to exclude from our daily consumption.

Swimming in a pool

Pools often contain chlorine to disinfect their water. And chlorine can damage your teeth. Long exposure to chlorinated water can damage your tooth enamel and make your teeth more brittle and sensitive.

Beans and lentils

Although beans and lentils are considered healthy foods, they contain phytic acid which contributes to tooth decay. Phytic acid binds to nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, and magnesium, making it more difficult for your teeth to absorb them. And deficiency of these nutrients can lead to the development of periodontitis. To eliminate phytic acid, just soak beans, lentils, and other grains overnight before eating them.

Sunflower seeds

Sunflower seeds contain useful trace elements, which are safe for the teeth. But the hull can cause some problems. When trying to bite through the hull, you may damage your incisors and canines. So, it’s best to eat hulled seeds if you care for your teeth.

Nail biting

Nail biting is not only harmful for your nails but also for your teeth because it can cause chipped teeth and jaw dysfunction.

Cold weather

Our teeth tend to expand and contract in response to extreme heat and cold. And this process can lead to cracks in our teeth over time. Tooth sensitivity is caused by worn tooth enamel or exposed nerves in your teeth, and you may feel pain if you eat or drink something with an extremely low or high temperature. If your teeth are healthy, they are less prone to crack in cold weather. This is why, it’s necessary to visit your dentist on a regular basis and monitor the health of your teeth.

Sour foods

Enamel erosion can also be caused by the regular consumption of foods with high acid content. They include fruit and vegetables, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, and pickles.

Home whitening treatments

Perfectly white teeth are beautiful without a doubt, but you should be very careful about home whitening treatments. Many of them contain harsh chemicals that can strip the enamel from your teeth and expose the dentin beneath. If you are determined to whiten your teeth, it’s best to turn to a professional for help.

Piercing

Tongue and lip piercing can be dangerous for a few reasons. First, a metal stud can become a breeding ground for bacteria. Second, you can accidentally bite down on it and get your tooth cracked. Also, metal rubbing against the gums can lead to gum damage and consequent tooth loss.

A firm toothbrush

Oral hygiene is important, but you should not go over the top with it. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth twice a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush. Aggressive and too frequent brushing wears away enamel and exposes dentin causing gum recession, and making teeth more sensitive and more susceptible to cavities.

Popcorn

Popcorn is a healthy snack that can help you slim down. However, it can be potentially harmful for your teeth. Dentists often have to treat people with cracked teeth who got them from eating half-popped popcorn kernels. Also, popcorn husk often gets stuck in between teeth and causes gum pain.

Mouthwash

When taking care of our oral cavity, we tend to use not only toothpaste and dental floss but also some other products. One of them is mouthwash. However, you should check its ingredients before using it. Some mouthwashes contain acids that can make your teeth more sensitive or damage the dentin layer.

Dieting

Restrictive diets can deprive you of the vitamins and nutrients necessary for healthy teeth. It’s important to get enough folate, B vitamins, protein, calcium, and vitamin C if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

What is your oral hygiene routine? How often do you visit a dentist? Tell us in the comments below.