It sounds harmless; you don't have access to a can opener, scissors or any other sharp object to open a tricky bag of chips or a stubborn bottle top. So, you use your teeth. And why not? They get the job done.
Not so fast.
Even though the enamel on the top surface of your teeth is the hardest part of your whole entire body, using your teeth as a tool can do more harm than good.
Habits like chomping on a pencil or using your teeth to rip off tags from your new clothes don't seem that life threatening; but the outside pressure can cause your teeth to chip, crack, and if the pressure is strong enough, break. Using your teeth as tools over time can lead to tooth separation and eventually braces.
A Consumer Advisor spokesperson for the American Dental Association, Dr. Richard Price, DMD, shares 25 things NOT to use your teeth for, as well as the importance of not using your teeth as a tool.
Teeth as Tools: A BIG No-No
Using your teeth as tools may seem harmless, but can lead to chipping, tooth loss, root canals and permanent damage.
Additional Info
- Segment Number: 4
- Audio File: staying_well/1343sw1d.mp3
- Featured Speaker: Richard Price, DMD
- Guest Website: Share Care
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Guest Bio:
Richard H. Price, D.M.D., is currently a Consumer Advisor for the American Dental Association, a professional organization representing approximately 157,000 U.S. dentists.
Dr. Price has close to one thousand media appearances to his credit, including The Today Show, Oprah, CBS Live, 20/20 and all local newscasts in Boston. He has also been quoted in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, and the Boston Globe. In addition, Dr. Price authored a newspaper column, "Dentist's Diary," in the Boston Herald for five years. - Length (mins): 10
- Waiver Received: Yes
- Host: Melanie Cole, MS
Published in
Staying Well
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