Sugary foods and drinks, along with forgetting to brush and floss, are smile threats people tend to be familiar with. If you feel that you are taking effective care of your teeth on a daily basis, but still struggle to avoid cavities, you may wonder what you need to change. While it is important to be mindful of common issues that can hurt your teeth, you may be affected by something you had no idea could hurt your smile. Any issue that damages or erodes your enamel, or affects your ability to naturally defend against oral bacteria, can be detrimental to your oral health. Your Allen, TX dentist’s office can talk to you about more effective smile care during a routine dental exam.
1. Acid Reflux May Cause Enamel Erosion
If you have consistent problems with acid reflux, the acids from your stomach can start to erode your enamel. That erosion can result in making your teeth appear less white, which can cause cosmetic dental concerns. It can also make it harder to defend yourself against cavities.
2. Dehydration Can Hurt Your Ability To Naturally Defend Against Tooth Decay
If you are dehydrated, you produce less saliva, and that means you lose out on a natural ally in your fight with tooth decay. Your saliva can help wash away food and oral bacteria; this substance also helps by delivering helpful minerals, like fluoride and calcium, to teeth.
3. Nail Biting, Teeth Grinding, And Other Habits That Can Lead To Wear And Tear On Teeth
If you grind your teeth, bite your nails, or tend to chew on hard surfaces, you can cause chips and cracks in teeth. In some cases, you might damage a tooth so badly that a dental crown is needed!
Talk To Allen Family Dental About Keeping Your Smile Safe From Harm
At Allen Family Dental, patients who want to keep their smiles safe can look forward to expert care. In addition to providing preventive oral health support, our practice can help you if you need to address a cosmetic issue, or treat problems like tooth decay. To set up a consultation with Dr. Torrens-Parker or Dr. Lizardi, call Allen Family Dental in Allen, TX, today at (469) 342-6644. Located in Allen, we also proudly welcome people from Frisco, Plano, McKinney, Fairview, and all surrounding communities.
