Everyone knows that candy is bad for your teeth. The sugar in candies causes cavities, which will end up rotting your teeth. However, just because you've cut the sweet stuff out of your life it doesn't mean that your teeth are in the clear. So, while sugar is certainly something you want to avoid, it's not the only thing you need to keep an eye on. Here's a list of 4 other things that can pose a problem for your teeth.

Cigarettes

Smoking cigarettes poses lots of health problems. Everything from heart disease to cancer. However, it's also terrible for your mouth. Smoking can cause gingivitis, which will cause the destruction of your gums. This will eventually lead to damage to your teeth, including loose teeth or even eventually loss of the tooth. The initial trouble signs are inflamed gums and soreness. Your dentist will be able to do a deep cleaning of the gum line and assess how bad your gums are, but it's up to you to cease smoking. It's the only fix.

Coffee

Even if you drink coffee without sugar, you need to be concerned about your teeth. For one thing coffee is acidic. Drinking large amounts of acidic beverages will, over time, cause damage to the surface of your teeth. That is one of the reasons that soda is so bad for your teeth, it's filled with sugar and it is also acidic. So, while coffee has lots of health benefits and is a great source of antioxidants, You can speak with your dentist and see if there is any concern. Your dentist might advise you to keep a bottle of water nearby and drink it after you have coffee to wash away some of the acidity from your teeth.

Alcohol

The big problem with alcohol is that it dries out your mouth, and a lack of moisture in your mouth is a bad thing. You need saliva to wash away bacteria. Otherwise, this bacteria can sit on your teeth and start to do damage, not to mention create an unpleasant odor. The best solution is to always have some water after you have been drinking. So, after a few glasses of wine, have a glass of water. And if you do overindulge, don't go to sleep without making sure you have hydrated, otherwise your mouth will be dry for hours, exacerbating the problem.

Stress

Sometimes there are things that can ruin your teeth that are not even foods or beverages. One of the most dangerous ones is stress. It can cause you to grind your teeth. And if you do this then you are already doing damage to your teeth. Often it's an unconscious behavior you do during the day, while other times it is something you do at night while you are asleep. Regardless of the time, you need to stop grinding. You can visit a dental services professional and they will be able to tell if you are grinding (there will be evidence of wear on your teeth) and they will be able to fit you with a custom mouth piece to wear during the day (if you feel the need) and at night (definitely a time to wear the mouth guard).

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