When it comes to your smile, keeping it safe and healthy goes way beyond just brushing, flossing, and seeing your dentist. To avoid unnecessary dental emergencies, it’s important to keep your mouth safe even when you’re not eating or cleaning your mouth. Here’s a list of eight things your dentist wants you to know should never go in your mouth (and they would never put in theirs).
Ice Cubes
While ice is just hardened water, and water is great for your oral health, in its frozen state it can be very dangerous to your teeth. That’s because crunching on anything too hard can cause your teeth to chip, crack, or wear prematurely. Thus, if you must crunch on ice cubes, aim for already-crushed ice, or nugget or pearl ice that is made to be softer and chewable to protect your teeth.
Other People’s Toothbrushes
When your teeth feel dirty, it may seem like any toothbrush is better than no toothbrush at all, but unfortunately this is not true. That’s because the oral bacteria streptococcus mutans (which is responsible for cavities) can be transmitted via saliva and by sharing cups, utensils, and yes, even toothbrushes. Thus, if you have low levels of these bacteria, you can easily increase them by sharing a brush with someone who has more, or if you have a lot, you can spread them to your borrowed brush’s owner when they go to use it again. Therefore, to protect your smile and those around you, never share toothbrushes with anyone. If you need to clean your mouth in a pinch, rinse with mouthwash or warm salt water or chew sugarless gum until you can get your own toothbrush.
Bottle Caps
Whether they’re made of plastic or metal, your teeth were not designed to pop bottle caps. This can cause them to break or chip or fall out. Therefore, try to be patient and wait until you can safely use a bottle opener, or avoid purchasing bottles that require excess strength to open them.
Fingernails
Nail biting can be due to bad habits, or often to trim a stray nail that tears randomly when you don’t have immediate access to a nail file or clippers. If you do break a nail, never use your teeth to cut it, as this can damage them and even injure your soft tissues. Instead, wait until you can use the proper tools, or put a bandage or piece of tape over your nail until you can safely trim it.
Hard Candy
Hard candy is delicious, but it can also be dangerous to your teeth. In addition to coating them in a steady stream of sugar, the real trouble often comes when you crunch them. Though edible, these sweets can cause your teeth to chip or crack when bitten. If you think you can have one without chewing it, be sure to follow it with plenty of water to rinse your mouth when you’re done, but if the allure of crunching is too strong to avoid, it’s best to skip this treat altogether for the sake of your smile!
Writing Tools
Sometimes when you’re deep in thought or feeling stressed, reaching for a writing implement such as a pen cap, pencil, or eraser to chew on can come as a big relief. Unfortunately, while it may be cathartic to take your frustration out on them, this is very dangerous for your smile. Not only can you wear, chip, or crack your teeth, but many a pen has leaked into an unsuspecting mouth and left behind a big, inky mess. Worse yet, these tools can easily cause soft tissue injuries like slivers or scrapes that in addition to being painful can also become infected.
Tobacco Products
Smoking, chewing, dabbing, vaping, or any other method of using tobacco is extremely dangerous to your oral and overall health. In fact, there is no safe way to consume it. Thus, it is recommended that you never start any tobacco use and quit if you currently do. If you need help stopping, speak to your dentist or primary care doctor about your options.
Receipts and Parking Slips
Have you ever fumbled with keys, a purse, a cup of coffee, and anything else while trying to get your parking slip ready to pay in a garage? Perhaps you temporarily put it between your lips to hold it while rummaging in your wallet for your credit card. Believe it or not, while this may seem completely harmless, receipts like the ones you get at parking garages and supermarkets are coated in a dangerous chemical called PVC, which also contains lead. This can cause lead poisoning as well as an increased risk of tooth decay. Thus, if possible, skip the paper receipt altogether, or temporarily hold it in your pocket, under your chin, or in a purse or wallet.
Remember, keeping your smile safe goes way beyond just brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist. Avoid dental emergencies and never put these eight dangerous items in your mouth!
About Our Practice
At Silver Creek Dentistry, we have not one but five caring and skilled dentists working together to protect your smile! If you are suffering from an urgent dental emergency, don’t wait to get help. Call us today at 920-748-7200.