The Smile Daily

If you’ve ever been to a dentist, or simply sat through grade school health class, you’re probably aware of the most common causes of tooth decay: sugary foods and neglectful oral hygiene practices. However, you may be surprised to learn that these five common things may be negatively affecting your oral health.

Cough Drops and Cough Syrup

Though used to treat the symptoms of a cold, most cough drops contain sugar, which is harmful to teeth whether it’s in medicine or in candy. However, most people don’t think to brush after popping a cough drop or taking cough syrup. That means sugar from these treatments can remain on your teeth for a long period of time. To avoid unnecessarily exposing your teeth to sugar from cough treatments, look for lozenges and liquids that are sugar-free, or be prepared to brush after consuming treatments that contain sugar.

Sipping a Drink All Day

Do you like to fill up a large container with your favorite soda, coffee, tea or other beverage in the morning and sip on it throughout the day? Doing so exposes harmful sugar and acid to your teeth for a long period time, which puts your tooth enamel in serious jeopardy. It also contributes to tooth stains. It’s better to enjoy your favorite beverage at mealtime or over a short period of time, then brush and sip on water for the rest of the day instead of other beverages.

Swimming Pools

People who spend a lot of time in chemically treated swimming pools may be at risk for damage to their teeth. The problem occurs when the pH of pool water is too high or too low. When this happens, the water becomes corrosive and can damage tooth enamel, causing tooth decay and staining. The optimal pH for pool water is between 7.2 and 7.8. This can easily be tested and monitored by using inexpensive pH strips obtainable wherever pool supplies are sold. If you spend a lot of time in the pool, consider wearing a water-tight mouth guard to protect your teeth.

White Wine

It’s easy to see why red wine would be bad for your teeth. Its dark color stains just about anything, so it’s no wonder it stains teeth. However, white wine can also damage your teeth. White wine is acidic, just like red wine, which means it can damage your enamel and lead to tooth decay. The tannins in white wine – or any wine - can also lead to tooth stains that penetrate enamel damaged by the acid. So, if you drink any type of wine, be sure to brush after enjoying it.

Oral Piercings

Piercing any part of your mouth, including tongue, lips and cheeks, can lead to serious oral health problems. The surface of your mouth contains hundreds of types of bacteria. Mouth piercings create an opening in your skin and provide a way for those bacteria to penetrate tissue, resulting in infections and sores. According to the journal of Clinical Infectious Diseases, 70% of people with tongue piercings report complications, ranging from eroded gums, chipped teeth, and more serious systemic infections including hepatitis B and C.Though you might not be aware of every oral health danger out there, you can protect yourself by implementing a regular routine of brushing and flossing twice a day and visiting your dentist for a check-up every six months. Do you have questions about any of the everyday oral health offenders discussed here? Give us a call at Norge Dental Center! Dr. Timothy Johnston is an experienced Williamsburg dentist with a dedicated staff of oral hygiene experts that can help you understand how to maintain a healthy, happy smile.