Do you find yourself opening packages, envelopes or bottles with your teeth? Perhaps you employ your pearly whites to rip tag ties off new articles of clothing or cut packing tape.
Do your teeth a favour. Take a minute or two to retrieve scissors or a bottle opener. If you use your teeth as a tool, you risk the following:
• Cracks
• Chips
• Malocclusion (poor jaw alignment)
Broken teeth not only will make chewing difficult but painful as well. You also will have to spend money to fix that broken tooth. In cases of malocclusion, you may develop painful TMJ.
So while your teeth may be able to handle tearing into a tasty steak, they’re not designed to serve as tools. Save your smile and let the real tools in your house do the work for you. Regular checkups can identify any tooth troubles, so we can address them promptly.
