Your teeth are designed to withstand quite a bit of pressure. The amount of force generated during normal chewing and biting can be extreme. Your gums, bone, enamel, and dental pulp (nerve) are all designed to absorb a certain amount of force, but only while preforming highly specialized functions.

For this reason, unnatural forces and repeated trauma can be especially harmful to your teeth. Sometimes, the damage caused be harmful dental habits can go unnoticed. Worn teeth, chipped edges, and occasional sensitivity are often ignored or disregarded. Many times, these are actually early warning signs that more extensive damage is occurring. Unfortunately, the early warning signs do not always occur. Sometimes, a tooth can break or fracture unexpectedly, or irreversible pain can develop spontaneously.

Dental trauma and disorders are sometimes difficult to prevent, but by avoiding some common bad habits, it is possible to protect your health and your smile.

  • Bruxism (clenching and grinding of the teeth is a common condition  that may happen during sleeping hours or during times of stress. The extreme and continuous pressure on the teeth can lead to fractures, worn edges, damage to the jaw joint, and bone loss).
  • Using teeth as tools (using the teeth to bite into ice and other hard objects or open bottles or cans cause an unexpected broken tooth in the blink of an eye. The continuous pressure followed by a rapid loss of control can instantly damage the teeth and the surrounding soft tissue).
  • Improper home care/Lack of dental treatment (never use any foreign objects to clean around your teeth and gums. With proper brushing and flossing at home, followed by routine dental treatment you can enjoy healthy gums and a bright smile. For conditions that cannot be addressed with normal brushing and flossing, consult your dentist for appropriate care.)

In the best interest of your overall health, partner with Dr. Nicholas Kemp, a Yorkville dental professional, for routine dental care. Schedule regular visits, pay close attention to your homecare routine, and avoid harmful dental habits that could traumatize your teeth and gums. You should expect to keep your teeth for your lifetime, why not take extra special care of them?