WSVN — They’re front and center every day. You eat, talk and smile with them, but chances are, you are also doing all kinds of little things that can also chip away at the health of your teeth. 7’s Lynn Martinez has the no-no’s in tonight’s List.
Your mama always told you to brush your teeth, but Dr. Marlon Pasquier says:
#1 BE GENTLE
Be gentle with your brush.
Marlon Pasquier: "The harder you brush, the more damage you cause to the gums, and you could also cause wear on the neck of the tooth."
Hard brushing can also cause gums to recede, so take it easy and use a soft bristle brush.
#2 EASY ON THE BLEACH
Pearly whites are all the rage, but go easy on the bleach.
Marlon Pasquier: "Due to the constant exposure to the acidic concentration, it has some other side effects like sensitivity of the teeth, and it could also cause enamel erosion."
Limit home bleaching or have a dentist do it for you.
Number 3 is one we’re all guilty of…
#3 TEETH AREN’T TOOLS
Who hasn’t used their teeth as a tool to break a thread or open a bag of potato chips? This is a huge no-no!
Marlon Pasquier: "It puts excessive force and could also cause some chipping."
Another enamel enemy…
#4 DON’T CHEW ICE
Ice! If you chew it, it’s bad news.
#5 SWEET TOOTH
We all know candy causes tooth decay, but even healthy dried fruit can wreak havoc.
Marlon Pasquier: "Not only do they get stuck to the tooth, but it’s hard to remove it when you brush it, so just stays there creating damage, causing decay."
#6 TOO MUCH CITRUS
For number 6, too much of a good thing can be bad! Citrus juice is full of vitamin C, but too much can cause damage. Drink it with a straw instead.
#7 PROTECT YOUR TEETH
And finally, playing hard is fun, but protect your teeth in the process!
Marlon Pasquier: "They get an elbow to the mouth, and that can cause some serious damage."
Spending less than $100 on a good mouth guard can keep your smile and wallet intact.
Lynn Martinez, 7News.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Dr. Marlon Pasquier
7155 W. Flagler St.
Miami, FL 33144
(305) 267-1709
www.miamimoderndental.com