Don’t we all want our smiles to remain beautiful and youthful for our entire lives? We’re only born with one set of adult teeth, so treating them right is extremely important if we want to keep them young and vibrant looking. Sometimes, without even realizing it, we may be doing things that are harmful to our teeth! Dr. Ziegele, cosmetic dentist in Puyallup, and our team want to share four common habits that may be hurting your smile more than you think:
Drinking bottled water– Not that bottled water is in any way bad for you. However, if bottled water is your primary source of drinking water, you may be missing some of the benefits provided by the fluoride in tap water. Fluoride in bottled water varies, but bottles that state they’ve undergone reverse osmosis or are distilled will have all of the fluoride filtered out. Fluoride is important for fighting and preventing tooth decay.
Drinking white wine instead of red– Too often, people are avoiding red wine when out on dinner dates or happy hour with friends. The reason, no doubt, probably has a lot to do about the worry of teeth staining, which can be embarrassing. However, the alternative, choosing white wine, can actually be damaging to your teeth. White wine is extremely acidic, and can be more wearing on tooth enamel than red.
Not using a straw– Drinking with a straw can be a life-saver for your teeth. With use of a straw directed toward the back of the mouth, harmful drinks like soda and juice aren’t able to directly drench your teeth with each sip, lowering the risk of decay.
Skipping trips to the dentist– Just because your teeth seem to be in great shape, doesn’t mean that you’re completely in the clear. There’s a reason why it’s recommended you visit your dentist twice a year– prevention. Your bi-yearly visits ensure there aren’t any current or pending problems with your oral health.
As a cosmetic dentist for Puyallup, Dr. Ziegele and our team care about the health and maintenance of your smile. Dr. Ziegele comes highly awarded and recommended when it comes to your needs as a general and cosmetic dentist. Call today to schedule your appointment.
