Avoid These 5 Smile Wreckers

A smile can reflect a good heart and your best intentions. It’s one of your most valuable assets, and at Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we remind you to do whatever you can to protect it.

We’ve drawn up a list of five things we call “smile wreckers.”

  • Sports Injuries. Nothing can wreck your smile faster than a knocked-out tooth, and playing sports can really put yours at risk. Even sports we think of as non-contact, like basketball, can get you an accidental elbow to the mouth. We’d never say don’t play; it’s too much fun. But always – repeat, always – wear a mouth guard when you play.
  • Ice Chomping. Who isn’t tempted to crunch that ice at the bottom of your cup? There’s no sugar and no calories, so it may seem harmless enough. But biting down on something hard and frozen can chip or crack one or more teeth.
  • Too Much Coffee. A lot of people rely on that morning cup to jump start the day. But coffee is a notorious stainer, and can give your teeth an unsightly brown tint. We’re realistic enough to not recommend giving it up. But try to drink some water afterward to rinse out any residue.
  • Sticky Candy. First of all, we’ll never say that any candy is okay, since it’s all loaded with cavity-causing sugar. But the stickier the candy, the worse it is for teeth. That’s because, well, it’s sticky, and stays on your teeth a long time. If there’s such a thing as good candy, it’s chocolate. Yes, chocolate! We mean the kind without nuts or a sticky center. It washes off the teeth quickly and easily. (Pro tip: dark chocolate has less sugar than milk chocolate.)
  • Overbrushing. Yes, it is possible to brush your teeth too hard. We recommend brushing twice a day. But we also recommend a light touch: brushing harder and longer won’t get your teeth any cleaner, and you really can hurt tooth enamel and your gums. Two minutes is enough. Use a soft-bristle brush and replace it every few months.

At Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry in Comstock Park we want you to have the best smile possible, and that means doing everything you can to protect it. Our services include family and restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Patients throughout Ada, Belmont, Grand Rapids, Sparta, Walker and Rockford, MI also love our Invisalign clear braces. Call us to schedule your next checkup today!

Eric Hull Aesthetic & General Dentistry:

616-784-2377

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

769 York Creek Dr NW
Comstock Park, Michigan
49321

 

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