It’s a fact of life that many dental emergencies can’t be prevented. These issues often stem from factors beyond a person’s control. Still, you can steer clear of some urgent oral care problems. One fine way is to avoid things you should never put in your mouth. If you’d like, your New Lenox dentist will explain this approach in detail. Read on to learn four key things that you shouldn’t ever put in your mouth.
Fingernails
Are you a chronic nail-biter? If so, you’re in good company – nail-biting is a common nervous habit. Still, you should avoid the habit for your smile’s sake.
You see, nail biting is harmful to tooth enamel. This action can crack the top layer of your teeth until areas become hypersensitive. Plus, the biting stresses the joints of your jawbone. It creates pressure that can trigger grinding and clenching, making your teeth, ears, and jaw ache.
Cigarettes
Most people now know that cigarettes aren’t good for one’s health. Smoking them greatly raises your risk of cancer and many other serious diseases. That said, less well-known is how cigarettes can cause dental emergencies.
Cigarette smoking is strongly linked to gum disease – an infection of your gum tissue. By puffing on each tube, your gums will get irritated until they slowly erode. The infected tissue could then cause tooth loss, severe mouth pain, and worse.
Lemons
You know the old saying, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?” Well, you probably shouldn’t take it literally. Putting lemons or lemon juice in your mouth will greatly harm your grin.
The crux of the matter is that lemons are very acidic. Sucking on one can very quickly erode the enamel on your teeth. Adding insult to injury, lemon juice can also feed bacteria and form plaque on your teeth. That means drinking it could easily lead to painful cavities.
Other People’s Toothbrushes
If you misplace your toothbrush, you may think to borrow one from a friend or family member. It’s not a big deal, right? Wrong – using someone else’s toothbrush can lead to emergency situations.
Remember, a used toothbrush is full of bacteria. One that belongs to another person could expose you to many harmful microbes. In terms of oral health, this exposure may lead to cavities, gum disease, etc. It could also do greater damage by making you sick and bedridden.
To reduce your dental emergency risk, note the things you should never put in your mouth. Your dental provider could go over these items at your next dental checkup.
About the Practice
Atrium Family Dental is based in New Lenox, IL. Led by Drs. Albert, Snow, and Feller, our practice seeks to give each patient the ideal level of dentistry. That means we offer preventive, cosmetic, and restorative services, as well as emergency dental care. Our office is also a certified provider of both TMJ therapy and Invisalign clear aligners. If you’d like more details or to book a visit, you can reach us on our website or by phone at (815)-462-9990.