Dentists spend their careers helping patients maintain healthy smiles, so it’s no surprise that many of them follow the same advice they give during routine checkups. While no one has perfect habits all the time, dental professionals know which everyday behaviors can increase the risk of cavities, chipped teeth, and other oral health problems.
Curious what your dentist is likely to avoid? Here are 4 things most dentists think twice about putting in their mouths.
1. Ice Cubes
Chewing on ice may seem harmless because it’s just frozen water, but it’s one of the quickest ways to damage your teeth. Ice is extremely hard, and biting down on it can chip, crack, or even fracture a healthy tooth.
Repeated ice chewing can also wear down enamel and damage existing dental work such as fillings, crowns, or veneers.
If you enjoy cold drinks, it’s perfectly fine to have ice in your beverage – just let it melt instead of chewing on it.
2. Hard Candy
Hard candies may last a long time, but that means your teeth are exposed to sugar for an extended period. As the candy dissolves, bacteria in your mouth feed on the sugar and produce acids that weaken tooth enamel and increase the risk of cavities.
There’s another problem, too: many people eventually bite down on hard candy before it’s fully dissolved. Doing so can crack or chip a tooth, potentially turning a sweet treat into an unexpected dental emergency.
If you have a sweet tooth, enjoy sugary treats in moderation and brush your teeth afterward whenever possible.
3. Non-Food Objects
Many people absentmindedly chew on pens, pencils, fingernails, bottle caps, or even use their teeth to open packages. Dentists know these habits put unnecessary stress on teeth that are designed for chewing food, not acting as tools.
Using your teeth this way increases the risk of chipped teeth, cracked enamel, jaw strain, and damaged dental restorations. Instead of utilizing your teeth, use scissors, a bottle opener, or the appropriate tool for the job.
4. Sugary Drinks Throughout the Day
It’s not just what you drink that matters; it’s how often you drink it. Sipping soda, sports drinks, sweet tea, or sugary coffee beverages throughout the day continually bathes your teeth in sugar and acid. Each sip triggers another acid attack on your enamel, increasing the risk of cavities.
Dentists often recommend limiting sugary beverages to mealtimes rather than sipping them over several hours. Water remains the best choice for keeping both your body and your smile healthy, and it helps rinse away food particles and acids between meals.
Protecting your smile doesn’t require giving up every treat you enjoy. Instead, it’s about making smart choices most of the time. Avoiding ice chewing, limiting hard candy, keeping non-food objects out of your mouth, and reducing sugary drinks can significantly lower your risk of dental problems. By following the same advice dental professionals use in their own lives, you’ll be taking important steps toward maintaining a healthy, confident smile for years to come.
About the Practice
Have you put something in your mouth that’s caused a dental emergency? If you’ve found yourself in trouble, Healthy Smiles Dental Care is the first place you should call. Our trusted dental specialists on staff offer a complete menu of dental services to get your smile looking good as new. Anxious about your visit? Dental sedation methods are available to ensure a calm, comfortable experience. Don’t delay if you’re in pain. Book online or call our Flint office at (810) 720-6433.