Protecting Your Teeth
What to do - Of course, brushing and flossing regularly is the first step to protecting your teeth. Next, visiting your dentist regularly can find problems before they become emergencies. Also, if you are active in sports, you may want to consider using a mouthguard.
What to avoid - In addition to the list of "to-dos," there are several things to avoid in order to protect your mouth. The following should be avoided:
- coffee
- tobacco
- alcohol
- cola drinks
- foods with high acid content (usually drinks and candy)
- tongue rings (they can chip your teeth)
- opening packages with the teeth
- grinding teeth
- eating rocks
If you do have a dental emergency, it's best to consult a professional ASAP to avoid further complications. To view a list of some dental emergencies, click here.
If you have a habit of grinding your teeth while you sleep, you may want to consider trying a relaxation routine every night before you go to bed. If you have high levels of stress when you lay down to sleep, this stress will stay with you for much of the night, often resulting in teeth grinding, sore muscles, and lost sleep.