It’s safe to say that your smile is one of the first things people notice about you. However, what many of us fail to realize is that our everyday practices could be harming our pearly whites. Here’s a closer look at some bad habits that are destroying your smile and how you can rectify them.
Chewing on Ice
Chewing on ice is one of the worst things you can do for your smile. It can damage your teeth and make them less resilient, which is one of the main reasons why it’s so bad for your smile Dr Mark Austin.
If you chew on ice, you’re basically putting all of your tooth enamel at risk. Your teeth are made up of three layers: the outer layer, the middle layer, and the inner layer. The outer layer is where most of the damage occurs when chewed ice melts and gets stuck between your teeth. The middle layer is only slightly damaged in this process, but it’s still not good news—it makes it harder for your teeth to heal over time.
Ice also causes cavities to form more quickly because it contains sugar that can promote bacteria growth in your mouth.
Smoking
Apart from being harmful to your general health, smoking is a primary culprit for staining your teeth, gum disease, and even oral cancer.
The best course of action, says Dr Mark Austin is to quit smoking altogether. Consult your healthcare provider for resources to assist in your cessation effort.
Overuse Of Whitening Products
Have you ever noticed how the teeth of people who have been whitening their teeth for a long time start to get a yellow tint? Well, we have seen this with our own eyes and it’s one of the biggest dangers of whitening your teeth.
The reason why is because over time, the enamel gets worn down by the constant use of whitening products. The enamel is what protects your teeth from damage and keeps them strong, but if you are using a whitening product that contains abrasives on a frequent basis, then your enamel will be worn down faster than it would if you were not using any whitening products at all!