The health of your teeth has a strong impact on your quality of life. Think about it. How healthy you are and how good you feel are profoundly impacted by what you eat regularly. What you’re able to eat regularly is impacted, in turn, by the condition of your teeth. If your teeth are injured, it will negatively impact other aspects of your life. So what should you do to avoid injuring your teeth?
Avoid Hard Foods
Teeth are pretty strong. They have a thin layer of enamel surrounding them, which is roughly as hard as steel. Still, that doesn’t mean that they can’t crack, chip, or even break if they come up against hard foods. There’s a reason your mom always told you not to chew ice, lollipops, and other hard candies. It’s easiest to avoid injuring your teeth on hard foods if you avoid them altogether. At a minimum, you should avoid chewing them. Stick to sucking on them if you must have them.
Wear a Mouthguard
Do you play sports or participate in other activities where you risk injuring your teeth? If so, wearing a mouthguard offers your teeth protection. Custom-made mouthguards protect your teeth when playing contact sports. Even a store-bought mouthguard can offer some protection. Mouthguards provide cushioning that help absorb the force of a blow to the face. That means less force is directed to the teeth, reducing the risk of damaging them. Make sure your mouthguard is the right size for you so it provides appropriate levels of protection.
See Your Dentist Regularly
Healthy teeth are stronger and less susceptible to injury. See your dentist regularly for exams and cleanings so they can track the condition of your teeth and help them stay healthy. In addition to regular exams and cleaning, your dentist may also offer fluoride treatments that can keep your enamel mineralized and strong. Regular visits to the dentist make it possible for your dentist to catch problems early so they can be treated quickly. That helps your teeth stay as strong as possible.
You only get two sets of teeth in your life. Once your permanent teeth grow in, you’ll have all the natural teeth you’ll get for the rest of your life. Doesn’t it make sense to take care of them? Brush thoroughly twice a day and floss at least once a day to prevent decay that could weaken your teeth and threaten your gum health. That will provide a good foundation for preventing injuries to your teeth.
Check out this article on what you need to do to prevent serious disease!
