6 Surprising Causes of Tooth Damage

It’s no secret that eating candy, neglecting to brush and floss, and smoking can cause extensive tooth damage. You may think you’re safe; however, tooth damage may result from a lot of other reasons. Read on to find out more about them!

Sometimes, the causes of tooth decay or damage can be unavoidable. This happens in cases caused by genetics or sickness. The causes below are habitual or intentional, and therefore avoidable. These reasons include:

• Using Sippy cups as children. Sippy cups are usually substituted for bottles as infants grow. Parents should realize that their child’s front teeth would obtain a certain amount of damage after a few months of using the Sippy cup. The problem lies in the structure of the cup. As the opening lies directly where the front teeth are, the milk or juice may expose them to damage. To avoid this, use a straw or train your toddler to drink out of a glass.
• Grinding teeth while sleeping. This may cause tooth loss and fractures. Dentists and drugstores have mouthguards available to prevent you from grinding your teeth at night.
• Tongue piercings. These may look cool, but they can chip, break, or fracture your teeth! The metal can also scrape against your tooth crowns and fillings, and may make them wear out earlier.
• Taking birth control pills. These pills may heighten the risk for infection, inflammation, and gingivitis.
• Consuming sports drinks. The high acidity and PH levels of sports drinks may erode tooth enamel.
• Brushing your teeth at the wrong time. Right after meals is an example of a wrong time to brush teeth. Wait at least an hour to neutralize acids and prevent tooth erosion.

Avoid these things if you are concerned about tooth damage. For more about dental services and options for healthier teeth, please visit our services page or call us for additional details.