14 Things You Were Doing Wrong in Your Youth With Your Teeth

Let’s face it. When you were a child the last thing you were probably thinking about was excellent dental hygiene. You might have even felt like taking care of your teeth was a chore. But excellent dental hygiene begins as a baby and continues throughout the rest of your life. Here are fourteen things you could have done wrong in your youth with your teeth. These ways written with the help of cosmetic dentist orange ca.

1. You didn't care for your primary teeth.

Since primary (baby) teeth aren't permanent it can be easy to think they aren't all that important. This simply isn't’t true. Your primary teeth assist in speech development as well as providing a path for your permanent teeth to follow.

2. You sucked your thumb.

Sucking your thumb might seem like a harmless habit. But if you sucked your thumb over a long period of time and after your permanent teeth came in, this could have caused some damage. Potential dental issues of sucking your thumb could be abnormal alignment of teeth, even resulting in what is commonly called “buck teeth’. Nonaligned teeth can lead to speech difficulties.

3. You bit your nails.

Although it might have seemed harmless at the time, biting your nails as a youth could have caused your teeth to move out of place. Nail biting can also cause teeth to break or tooth enamel to splinter.

4. You drank a lot of soda, juices, or energy drinks.

Although juices and energy drinks can seem like healthy beverage choices, the first ingredient is often sugar in these beverages. Sugar can cause tooth decay. If you drank these beverages, especially without the use of straws, there is a good chance your teeth were damaged in the process. In addition to soda containing loads of sugar, many sodas contain phosphorus acid, which could have eroded the enamel on your teeth.

5. You ate hard candy.

Have you had a chipped tooth for as long as you can remember but can’t remember how you got it? If you ate hard candy as a youth, you could have easily chipped your tooth this way. Again, the sugar in candy causes tooth decay, which results in more cavities needing to be filled.

6. You chewed on ice.

Just like hard candy, ice can also cause a tooth to chip as well as damage your enamel.

7. You ate a lot of potato chips.

Potato chips and any other crunchy type of snack can get trapped in your teeth. Tiny food particles lead to plague buildup, which in turn can lead to cavities.

8. You either used too much or not enough fluoride.

When you use the appropriate amount of fluoride it toughens the enamel on your teeth making it difficult for acid to penetrate your teeth. If you didn't’t get enough fluoride you ran the risk of enamel damage on your teeth. If you got too much fluoride it could have caused discoloration of your teeth.

9. You didn't visit a dentist on a regular basis.

It is mandatory to have regular check-ups with your dentist. Routine dental visits include x-rays to search for cavities and a cleaning which includes a sealant that protects your teeth. In addition, if necessary, a dentist can refer you out to a dental specialist such as an orthodontist.

10. You didn't brush and floss your teeth twice daily as recommended.

Brushing and flossing your teeth correctly can prevent cavities as well as gum disease.

11. You brushed your teeth too hard.

Using the appropriate toothbrush is mandatory. As a youth, you should have used a soft bristle toothbrush. The bristles should be firm enough to remove plague but soft enough to not harm tooth enamel.

12. You bit or chewed on your tongue piercing as a teenager.
Playing with your tongue piercing can result in chipped teeth and even receding gums.

13. You used a lot of medicines and antibiotics as a youth.
Some medicines for children are loaded with sugar. The sugar is added so that the medicine tastes good to children. The problem is that taking this medicine without brushing your teeth immediately afterwards could have led to cavities. In addition, if you took many rounds of antibiotics as a youth, this could have led to discoloration in your teeth.

14. You used your teeth as tools

Whether you stuck pencils in your mouth, or used your teeth to open things like packages, tear off bottle caps, or chew off tags, you could have caused damage to your teeth. These actions can cause your teeth to crack or even shift. Your teeth are not meant to be tools.

The good news is even if you didn't take good care of your teeth as a youth, it is never too late to address your dental hygiene now. Many of the above issues can be addressed by a good dentist.