You would never consider running a red light on a busy Newport News street or crossing over a lane of orange construction cones on the freeway, but you might be doing some everyday things that are a real danger to your oral health.
I’m Dr. Lisa Marie Samaha, a cosmetic dentist serving the Newport News area, and I want to share with you some common habits that could be detrimental to the health of your teeth.
Crunching ice between your teeth might be refreshing on a sunny day, but the soft tissue inside your teeth won’t appreciate it. Once this tissue gets irritated, you’re more likely to get toothaches and have increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods.
Participating in your favorite sport without proper mouth protection is a risk that no one in Newport News should take. If there is a chance that a mouth injury could occur (and there is with most sports) then get to the nearest sporting goods store and purchase an inexpensive mouth guard or, better yet, ask me about a custom mouthguard.
Using your teeth to open anything is a bad idea. Every time your teeth come in contact with foreign objects there is potential for chipping and cracking.
Now that you know how to avoid these risks, what can you do if you’ve already damaged your teeth from these activities or similar ones? Make an appointment with our caring staff and we’ll see how we can help.
If you’ve had chipping or cracking problems, there are a variety of cosmetic dentistry procedures that might help you including porcelain veneers and crowns. If you have overly-sensitive teeth, I may be able to prescribe a prescription toothpaste to relieve the pain.
We can also answer any questions you have about veneers, gum contouring, or teeth whitening in Newport News. We hope to hear from you soon, but in the meantime, keep those pearly whites safe and sound.