Authored by: Dr. Ilan Price
Alcohol:
The greatest indulgence for our mouths is sugar + acid. Most alcoholic drinks contain sugar, which, combined with bacteria in the mouth, can lead to cavities.
After coming home intoxicated, many forget to brush their teeth, resulting in a bacterial party in the mouth that can cause cavities.
Most drinks are mixed with sugary, acidic beverages that damage the enamel (the outer layer), leading to tooth sensitivity and greater exposure to cavities.
Excessive drinking can also lead to vomiting, which introduces more acid, destroying the enamel over time and causing it to erode.
What to do:
- Drink water between glasses to rinse away some of the sugars and acids in the mouth.
- Chew sugar-free gum, which increases saliva production and helps wash out the mouth.
- Place your toothbrush on your pillow before going out as a reminder to brush when you return.
At-home whitening kits:
Many pharmacies and online stores offer various at-home teeth whitening products for independent use.
Often, these products contain concentrations higher than recommended, and improper use can lead to heightened tooth sensitivity, sometimes even chronic sensitivity.
What to do:
- It’s recommended to have whitening done by your dentist, who uses health ministry-approved products at the correct dosage that won’t damage your teeth.
Toothpastes:
Not all toothpastes are made with the same ingredients. Some contain high abrasiveness levels (RDA), which means they can wear down teeth.
Prolonged use of such toothpastes causes tooth sensitivity, with any toothpaste exceeding an RDA of 100 being considered abrasive.
What to do:
- Avoid whitening toothpastes, which usually have a high RDA that prevents stain buildup but wears down the tooth.
- Use toothpastes with a lower RDA, such as Sensodyne or Colgate.
Mouthguards:
Do you play sports involving physical contact or moving objects? Have you ever been hit in the face during a game? If so, you’re lucky it was just pain and not a broken tooth.
The American Dental Association has shown that mouthguards prevent around 200,000 injuries annually in high school football alone.
Store-bought or online mouthguards tend to be bulky and can interfere with speech and breathing.
What to do:
- Get a custom-fitted mouthguard from your dentist for maximum protection and comfort, allowing you to focus fully on the game.
Hard foods:
Chewing on ice cubes and hard candies can break teeth. You usually hear a cracking sound followed by sharp pain.
What to do:
- Suck on candies instead of breaking them with your teeth. If you must chew ice, opt for crushed ice.
Eating disorders:
Some eating disorders involve frequent vomiting or nutritional deficiencies, which can affect oral health.
Often, the first signs are sensitive teeth and bleeding gums, followed by thin, sharp, and even gray and worn teeth. It’s important to seek help early.
What to do:
- Don’t brush immediately after vomiting or exposure to stomach acid. Instead, rinse with water for 30 seconds.
- Good daily oral hygiene with fluoride toothpaste is crucial.
- See your dentist regularly.
Oral piercings:
They may seem cool and sexy initially but can cause significant damage. Constant movement of a tongue piercing can lead to small tooth fractures and gum swelling.
What to do:
- If you have a tongue or oral piercing, visit your dentist regularly so they can spot signs of infection and prevent complications.
Teeth as bottle openers:
Enamel is the hardest material in our body, but even it can’t handle opening a beer bottle!
Teeth are very brittle from certain angles, and using them to open packages, chew nails, or tear tape are all classic reasons for cracked teeth.
What to do:
- Use a bottle opener or scissors!
Juices and carbonated drinks:
These contain large amounts of sugar and acid, which spreads across the teeth.
Even sugar-free drinks can be just as harmful because they contain lots of acid. After a small sip, it takes the body 20 minutes to neutralize this acid.
What to do:
- Limit the number of drinks per day or consume them in one sitting instead of sipping over time.
- Drink through a straw to avoid contact with teeth.
- Don’t brush immediately after drinking. Rinse with water for 20 seconds or use sugar-free gum if needed.
Smoking:
Smoking can be deceptive because it masks the warning signs of gum disease.
Smokers have reduced blood supply to the gums, allowing gum disease to progress quietly.
Often, the first sign is when the teeth start to loosen. Normally, bleeding gums indicate gum disease, but in smokers, this sign is hidden until it’s too late.
What to do:
- Visit your dentist to check for early warning signs.
- Brushing twice a day can help slow the progression of gum disease.
- Keep your gums healthy and visit the hygienist regularly.
Drugs:
Not only illegal drugs can damage your mouth. Certain acidic medications, such as chewable vitamin tablets, aspirin, asthma medications, and syrups, can also harm your enamel.
Additionally, some medications cause dry mouth, making it more susceptible to infections and decay.
What to do:
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow.
- Don’t rub medications on your gums—it causes ulcers and gum recession.
- Talk to your family doctor about the side effects of any medications you’re taking.
Oral sex:
It can transmit the human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause oral cancer. Both men and women can carry this virus, which is passed through genital or oral contact.
HPV infection can remain in the body for years without symptoms. It can lead to cervical cancer in women and oral cancer in both men and women.
What to do:
- Get vaccinated to protect yourself against the main HPV strains.
- Visit your dentist if you notice anything unusual in your mouth that doesn’t go away after two weeks.
New smile in 90 minutes
In the past, straightening and repairing teeth involved a cumbersome, long-term process with many dental visits, making it slow and expensive.
But today, thanks to technological advancements and the development of dentistry, amazing results can be achieved in a very short time.
The fastest service in the field is called “Smile in 90 Minutes,” and it is not available in every private dental clinic.
This unique treatment requires experience and expertise to achieve perfect results in a short time frame.
The rapid service combines several treatments, such as fillings, whitening, repairs, and damage restoration, allowing anyone to achieve their dream smile in just one 90-minute session.
Dr. Ilan Price’s clinic specializes in all types of dental corrections and damage repairs.
Each patient receives personalized, dedicated care tailored to their condition and needs. Years of experience in the field, combined with extensive knowledge and the highest level of professional capabilities, have made Dr. Price’s clinic a leader in its field. It is the only clinic offering the unique, fast service of “A New Smile in 90 Minutes.”
Daily habits that harm our teeth can lead to irreversible damage. Discover routines that are harmful to your teeth and habits that cause dental damage. At Dr. Ilan Price’s clinic, we are committed to quality, innovation, and responsibility in our treatments. Contact us for consultation and appointments!
