Tips for Keeping Your Children’s Teeth Healthy

Posted on: 9 October 2017

You may think as long as you are brushing, flossing, and visiting your dentist regularly, you are doing enough for healthy teeth and gums. However, certain habits could be causing enormous damage to your mouth. You may think your dentist does not know about these habits, but visible signs of damage will be seen. Here are a few secrets you cannot keep from your dentist because they will show actual damage to your mouth, teeth, and gums:

You Smoke

Your dentist will most likely ask you if you smoke or use any tobacco products during an exam. Even if you only smoke one a day or use tobacco products socially, you should tell your dentist because they will see the visible damage to your teeth and gums anyways.

Cigarettes and chewing tobacco contain nicotine, which can wreak havoc on your oral health. The dark pigments in nicotine can stain your teeth and gums, but the toxic chemicals used in these tobacco products can also eat through tooth enamel, increasing your risk of cavities, infections, decay, and gum disease.

You may tell your dentist you do not smoke or use tobacco products of any kind, but they will be able to see the physical damage to your teeth.

You Drink Alcohol

Most people have an alcoholic beverage occasionally without any worry of harming their oral health. However, if you are a woman who drinks 8 or more alcoholic beverages a week or a man who consumes 15 or more a week, you are a classified as a heavy drinker.

Heavy consumption of alcohol will damage your teeth. The alcohol decreases saliva production, drying out your mouth and increasing the risk of bacteria growth and infections.

The sugar used in many alcoholic beverages can erode tooth enamel, causing cavities and gum disease over time, as well.

If you drink heavily, your dentist will see these visible signs on your teeth and gum tissue.

You Have an Eating Disorder

Many people hide eating disorders from their family and friends, but your dentist and doctor will see signs of these disorders.

Bulimia is the most common eating disorder dentists will see actual signs of. Characterized by a binging and then purging of food, the constant consumption of sugary foods and then vomiting that contains acidic stomach acids, will severely erode the teeth while harming gum tissue.

Patients with bulimia will have extreme tooth decay, foul breath, gum disease, and even tooth loss since these dental issues are usually not treated.

You should not try to keep secrets regarding your health, but it is easy to see why you may want to. Trust your dentist to restore your oral health, but contact your doctor or counselor if you are living with an addition to tobacco, alcohol, or suffering from an eating disorder.

Talk to a dental office like Advanced Dentistry of St. Charles for more information and assistance.