Everyday Activities That Can Stain or Break Your Teeth

Do you take good care of your smile? If you brush your teeth twice a day and see your dentist regularly, your answer is probably yes. Unfortunately, try as we might, harmful habits and bad luck can suddenly transform anyone’s beautiful smile into an embarrassed frown. Even though not every accident can be avoided, many of them can be prevented. Read on to find out which common, everyday activities can easily break and stain your teeth as well as what you can do about them!

Beware of Breaking Your Teeth

Your enamel is the hardest substance in your body, even harder than your bones. However, it’s not indestructible. The most common ways teeth are chipped or cracked in everyday life are:

• Chomping down on a hard piece of food.
• Falling while walking, leaning back in a chair, riding a bicycle.
• Incurring accidental face trauma, usually from participating in sports.

So how does the hardest substance in your body become weakened and susceptible to breaking? Well, there are several ways you may be accidentally weakening that protective shell around your teeth:

• Eating lots of acidic and sugary foods.
• Grinding your teeth in your sleep, which is known as bruxism.
• Chewing on hard objects like ice, pen caps, and fingernails.
• Brushing your teeth with a hard-bristled toothbrush, abrasive toothpaste, or too much force.

As you’re being mindful of your surroundings and the situations that could potentially damage your teeth, talk to your dentist about your concerns. They’ll be able to identify any weaknesses in your enamel and recommend a personalized treatment based off its cause.

Sidestepping Stained Teeth

There is a long list of factors that can lead to stained teeth, including medications, health conditions, and tobacco products. However, arguably the most common culprit behind a discolored smile is the regular consumption of staining foods like:

• Dark-colored sauces like soy sauce and pasta sauce.
• Certain fruits and vegetables like beets, blueberries, and raspberries.
• Coffee, tea, wine, and colored sodas.

A good general rule of thumb is that if a food or drink can stain fabric, it can probably stain your teeth as well. So how can you keep your pearly whites shining bright? While there’s always cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening and porcelain veneers for particularly stubborn discoloration, you can help prevent staining in the first place by:

• Seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
• Brushing your teeth for two minutes twice a day.
• Drinking lots of water throughout the day to rinse away food particles.
• Eating more foods like apples, carrots, and cucumbers that can help keep teeth white.

There are plenty of common, everyday elements out there that can damage your teeth. Thankfully, with a little forethought, most of them can be avoided to keep your smile safe and bright!

About the Author

At Kessler Park Dental in Dallas, TX, Dr. Jayme Martinez is committed to Keeping your smile strong and healthy to prevent issues down the road. That’s why he encourages all his patients to get their dental checkups and cleanings twice a year. However, if you do find yourself with teeth that are chipped or stained, he can help you regain your beautiful smile with a variety of restorative and cosmetic services. If you’d like to know more, he can be contacted via his website or (214) 303-9969.