SPRINGFIELD, MISSOURI-Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you, so keeping it healthy and sparkling is important to show off one of your best features, but you may be doing just the opposite without even realizing it.

“Diligent home care, a low sugar diet, preventive dental checkups and professional cleanings might not be enough to ensure a healthy smile, if other lifestyle habits are working against you,” says Dr. Tracy Davis, who has been at the family dentistry practice for nearly a decade.

Find out how you might be putting a damper on your smile, why these habits wreak havoc on your teeth and gums, and how to protect your best asset:

What You’re Drinking

1. Sports drinks and sodas: a high concentration of acidic components and sugar can cause tooth erosion, cavities and tooth  decay.
2. Bottled water: most bottled waters contain less fluoride than recommended for good oral health. Fluoride helps the entire tooth structure be more resistant to decay and promotes remineralization, a process that aids in repairing early decay.
3. Wine: the acidity of red and white wine can dissolve the tooth structure, and red wine can increase dental staining.
4. Coffee and tea: dark beverages stain teeth and can help retain decay-producing bacteria. Plus, if you drink sweetened coffee drinks or tea, these beverages can contain as much sugar as a can of soda.

“You don’t have to give up your favorite drinks, but we recommend that you try to cut back on sugary, acidic beverages when you can. If you do drink them, avoid sipping on them all day, and rinse your mouth with water when you’re done to help neutralize the acid and reduce the amount of sugar left in your mouth,” says Dr. Marc Barnett, an Ozark dentures provider.

What You’re Eating

1. Candy and carbs: naturally occurring bacteria in the mouth devour sugar, creating acids that attack tooth enamel, which can lead to decay and a host of other problems, including gingivitis and cavities. Snacking on carb-rich foods throughout the day means your mouth is under attack all day.
2. Diet pills and dieting: diet pills decrease salivary flow, which causes dry mouth and puts you at risk for gum disease, tooth decay, cavities, and discomfort. Restrictive dieting increasing your susceptibility to periodontal disease because your body doesn’t the nutrients it needs to keep teeth healthy.
3. Citrus: citrus fruits can be very good for your overall health but they contain acids. Eating a lot of citrus and failing to properly clean and protect teeth can cause enamel erosion, weakened tooth structure and decay-prone teeth.

“Try to minimize snacks so the teeth aren’t sitting in an acidic environment all day, help neutralize the acid by swishing with water when you’re done to remove food that might be stuck in the cracks and crevices of teeth, and thoroughly brush and floss as soon as you can,” says Dr. Nick Matthews, a Springfield, MO Invisalign expert.

Health Conditions and Habits

1. Diabetes: this medical condition reduces the body’s resistance to infection, so you’re at a risk for gum disease.
2. Tobacco: besides increasing the risk of throat, lung and mouth cancer, tobacco turns teeth yellow, promotes acid production and contains irritating toxins that will increase gum inflammation, tooth decay and loss.
3. Grinding Teeth: this common nighttime habit can wear away the tooth enamel, causing chipping, cracks and sensitivity.
4. Dry mouth: saliva washes away cavity-causing bacteria and neutralizes harmful acids. Without it you’re at an increased risk of gingivitis, tooth decay and mouth infections like thrush.

“You can keep your mouth and body healthier by treating underlying health problems, watching out for side effects of prescription medications like dry mouth, and stopping the use of tobacco products,” says Dr. Kelly Barnett, a teeth bleaching provider.

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