It seems like making your way through life, as you keep your smile intact and your oral health in lovely shape, is probably going to be quite an undertaking. The more you consider about the things that could possibly go wrong with your grin, the more you worry that the daily goal of protecting your teeth and gums is going to simply prove to be unattainable! While we can certainly understand how you might feel carried away by the details, our Austin, TX team is happy to reel you back in and remind you: It’s actually all very easy. Consider some common rules to live by, brush and floss, come in for visits, and you’ll be just fine!
If It’s Cuttable With A Fork And Knife…
Patients often overlook the seriousness of attempting to break down and eat food that their teeth and jaws are not equipped to break down and chew through. Very large bites can irritate and strain your TMJs. Trying to bite apart or bite into food that’s too tough or hard can damage your teeth. So, we remind you of this very simple oral health rule: If you can cut it with a fork and knife, do so! Don’t have your teeth do the hard work. If you cannot cut it with tools meant to do so, then you should definitely not expect such hard work from your smile (which means eat something else).
If You Can’t Tell If It Has Seeds Or A Pit…
We remind you, as well, that sometimes you cannot tell what’s going on inside of a food, particularly if you weren’t the one to make or prep it. For instance, maybe you’re at a party and you see a tray of olives, cherries, or something else that could have a pit! Maybe you’re about to bite into a slice of watermelon without looking first. Remember: If you can’t tell if it has seeds or pits, ask questions, do some detective work, and determine the answer before you bite. It will help you avoid broken teeth.
If It’s Not Milk Or Water…
Another good rule to consider? If you’re drinking something other than milk or water, it’s probably acidic or filled with sugar. If this is the case, then it will probably contribute to oral health concerns. So, remember, if it’s not milk and it’s not water, then either avoid it or follow it up by swishing with water to rinse it from your smile.
If A Bite Of Food Seems To Damage Your Smile…
If you think you bit into something and that it may have negatively impacted your smile, call us. Don’t wait and see. Schedule a checkup just to be safe!
Protect Your Smile With Easy Guidelines
When you want to do your best to keep your smile healthy and in one piece and you would like some helpful advice, don’t overlook the help of our friendly team! Come in for a checkup and some helpful pointers! Schedule a visit with your dentist in Austin, TX by contacting Austin General Dentistry today at 512-346-5540.
