Wacky Wednesday: What Not to Do to Your Teeth

What Not to Do to Your Teeth

So you think your teeth are strong. They can handle anything, right? Wrong. While you may be tempted to use your teeth as a household tool or stress relief aid, think again. You could be damaging your teeth beyond repair. A recent poll of local dentists to find out some of the worst (and wackiest) dental habits they have seen in patients.

Warning: do not try these at home!

1. Cleaning teeth with Comet, bleach or other household cleaners. Household cleaners are abrasive and will wear down the enamel of your teeth. Some cleaners are poisonous.
   
2. Chewing toenails. Your teeth are for chewing food and speaking. Use a nail file or clippers to keep your mouth…and your feet…safe from bacteria.
   
3. Using "crazy glue"for loose dental work. Super-strong glue will still dissolve over time. See your dentist for long-term solution for loose dental work.
   
4. Opening beer bottles with teeth. This can break the tooth; get that bottle opener out of the drawer!
   
5. Sucking on lemons. This is sometimes done with the misguided goal to whiten teeth or freshen breath. But, the citric acid will break down the enamel on your teeth and cause sensitivity and decay.
   
6. Filing teeth(real & fake) with a nail file. You can risk taking too much of the tooth and damaging the tooth. See your dentist if the shape of the tooth doesn't seem right.
   
7. Flossing with household items. Dentists have seen people floss with objects including hair, needles, credit cards, paper, and rubber bands. These things can break in your mouth and put you at risk for injury and infection. Hard items like paperclips will wear away enamel when used repeatedly and can even chip your tooth.
   
8. Rinsing with acidic liquids. Just like sucking on lemons, sloshing liquids like vinegar, orange juice or soda in your mouth will wear away teeth and cause decay. Your best bet is a mouthwash containing fluoride or xylitol.
   
9. Removing teeth with pliers/power tools. Yep, leave this to the professional! Doing it yourself risks infection, broken teeth, and bone damage to your jaw.
   
10. Chewing pens. This can fracture teeth, leading to otherwise unnecessary dental treatment, besides maybe swallowing some ink. There are safer ways to relieve stress and fight boredom. Preserve your teeth for their real jobs: talking and chewing food.
    

    
    

If you would like your smile to be attractive and healthy, Dr Treva Diane Lee can be reached at 559-921-4693 or visit her website www.TrevaLeeDDS.com for free reports!

vitamin question

In response to a question on Centralvalleymoms.com:

hey ladies
i am using future formulations vitamins(way expensive,found them a little cheaper over the internet,"adrenal rebuilder,Adrenal c and super adrenal stress formula) supposidly because i have adrenal fatigue,who doesn't, any how was wondering what vitamins you all take?(if you do)
need to find some a little less costly
i also take a calcium supp,fish oil and magnesium supp
thanks for your input/advice...

Dr. Treva Diane Lee's response:

Howdy,
Like everything else, the human body was designed/evolved to respond to things in moderation: moderate levels of pleasure, stress, physical activity, mental activity, and to use a wide variety of food as sources of energy and nutrition. Tablet or liquid forms of various nutritional supplements can help out when our ability to ingest adequate amounts of certain vitamins and minerals is variable, or when we need higher levels to meet the body's demands to react to ever-changing challenges of living.

Moderation is key, too much of anything can be toxic (even water!), too little of something can also be harmful. Over-the-counter stuff can have very medicinal effects without the benefits of accurate doseage and monitoring. Just because you don't need a prescription doesn't mean it's beneficial effects aren't without risk!

That having been said, excepting previously diagnosed nutritional deficiency syndromes. Most people eating a well rounded diet and no chronic health conditions (smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.) are fine with a multivitamin or vitamin combination containing essential minerals and vitamins and anti-oxidants. Searching the American Dietetics Association website will give you fact-based information without alot of emotional and anecdoctal hype. It's great that you are searching for answers to help you and your family!

...and if I sound like I'm lecturing, well, I do have a background in nutrition, food science & dietetics...