Health Tip

2. Tongue, lip or cheek piercings
Facial piercings might be trendy when you’re younger, but the health concerns that they spark are not. Swan says that stud or ring piercings can create complications such as infection, bleeding and swelling of the tongue, or nearby tissues. Echoing his concern, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) states on its website that tongue, cheek or lip jewellery can cause ‘chronic injury to adjacent teeth and mucosa (inside of cheeks, lips, taste buds), including tooth fracture, and gum recession, which can lead to tooth loss.’ Individuals with oral jewellery must be extra careful to avoid the damage that biting a piercing can cause, and should discuss oral management with their dentist.

3. Playing sports without a mouthguard
It’s common to see professional athletes in football, hockey and boxing wearing mouthguards, but oral protection is also important for recreational athletes of all ages. “In any sport where you could potentially be hit in the face, a mouthguard is a good thing,” says Swan. Different styles of mouthguards are available, ranging from the cheapest option – ‘boil-and-bite’ mouthguards that you can make at home with DIY kits – to customized guards created by your dentist. This version is pricier, but offers an exact fit as well as comfort and protection. Not sure if you need one? Put your money where your mouth is – the cost of fixing damaged teeth will be considerably higher than the price of a mouthguard.

4. Chewing ice cubes
Crunching ice cubes can chip away at the enamel of your teeth, or cause a tooth to break. And if your mouth is home to several fillings, an icy snack can be even more perilous. “If a tooth has a filling, its strength is compromised to a degree. If you chomp down on ice, you could damage the tooth,” says Swan.

Source: Best Health Magazine
Courtesy: Health Prior 21.