
We're all tempted occasionally to use our teeth in ways that might risk damage. Hopefully, though, you've never considered anything close to what singer, songwriter and now social media persona Jason Derulo recently tried in a TikTok video—attempting to eat corn on the cob spinning on a power drill. The end result seemed to be a couple of broken front teeth, although many of his followers suspected an elaborate prank.
Prank or not, subjecting your teeth to “motorized corn”—or a host of other less extreme actions or habits—is not a good thing, especially if you have veneers, crowns or other dental work. Although teeth can withstand a lot, they're not invincible.
Here, then, are four things you should do to help ensure your teeth stay healthy, functional and intact.
Clean your teeth daily. Strong teeth are healthy teeth, so you want to do all you can to prevent tooth decay or gum disease. Besides semi-annual dental cleanings, the most important thing you can do is to brush and floss your teeth daily. These hygiene tasks help remove dental plaque, a thin biofilm that is the biggest culprit in dental disease that could weaken teeth and make them more susceptible to injury.
Avoid biting on hard objects. Teeth's primary purpose is to break down food for digestion, not to break open nuts or perform similar tasks. You should also avoid habitual chewing on hard objects like pencils, nails or ice to relieve stress. And, you may need to be careful eating apples or other foods with hard surfaces if you have veneers or composite bonding on your teeth.
Wear a sports mouthguard. If you or a family member are regularly involved with sports like basketball, baseball/softball or football (even informally), you can protect your teeth from facial blows by wearing an athletic mouthguard. Although you can obtain a retail variety in most stores selling sporting goods, a custom-made guard by a dentist offers the best protection and comfort.
Visit your dentist regularly. As mentioned before, semi-annual dental cleanings help remove hidden plaque and tartar and further minimize your risk of disease. Regular dental visits also give us a chance to examine your mouth for any signs of decay or gum disease, and to check on your dental health overall. Optimizing your dental health plays a key part in preventing dental damage.
You should expect an unpleasant outcome involving your teeth with power tools. But a lot less could still damage them: To fully protect your dental health, be sure you practice daily oral care, avoid tooth contact with hard objects and wear a mouthguard for high-risk physical activities.
If you would like more information on caring for your cosmetic dental work, please contact us or schedule a consultation. To learn more, read the Dear Doctor magazine articles “Porcelain Veneers” and “An Introduction to Sports Injuries & Dentistry.”
Comments:
Find Us
201 Pauline Dr
Berea, KY 40403
859-985-0201
Request Appointment
Our office has flexible hours to fit your busy schedule
Patient Eductation

Archive:
- 2021
- 2020
- 2019
- 2018
- 2017
- 2016
- 2015
- 2014
- 2013
- 2012
Tags
- celebrity smiles (94)
- orthodontic treatment (13)
- tooth extraction (2)
- periodontal (gum) disease (1)
- common symptoms (3)
- oral hygiene (27)
- oral health (28)
- diabetes (2)
- pediatric dentistry (19)
- periodontal disease (4)
- gum disease (11)
- diabetic (1)
- teeth whitening (5)
- cosmetic dentistry (25)
- sedation dentistry (2)
- oral sedation (1)
- nutrition (4)
- snoring and sleep apnea (1)
- pregnancy (2)
- root planing (1)
- veneers (4)
- smile makeover (9)
- dental injury (7)
- crown (2)
- wisdom teeth (5)
- tooth bleaching (1)
- oral cancer (4)
- gap (1)
- orthodontics (5)
- bad breath (3)
- braces (6)
- teething (4)
- periodontal plastic surgery (1)
- tooth decay (7)
- bonding (3)
- chipped teeth (4)
- artificial sweeteners (1)
- dental implants (15)
- dentures (3)
- snoring (2)
- sleep apnea (2)
- tmj (2)
- dental injuries (1)
- root canal (6)
- fluoride (2)
- floss (1)
- tooth wear (2)
- mouthguard (2)
- baby teeth (1)
- cracked mouth (1)
- tmd (1)
- tmj disorders (3)
- crowns (5)
- bridge (1)
- chipped tooth (4)
- dental anxiety (1)
- sinus surgery (1)
- teeth wear (1)
- loose teeth (1)
- pediatric care (1)
- missing tooth (1)
- dental care (1)
- athletic mouthguards (1)
- bacteria (1)
- abscessed tooth (1)
- root canal treatment (5)
- anesthesia (1)
- sensitive teeth (1)
- teeth grinding (2)
- retainers (1)
- geographic tongue (1)
- saliva (2)
- tooth grinding (1)
- toothache (1)
- thumb sucking (2)
- smile design (2)
- porcelain veneers (4)
- dental emergency (1)
- canker sore (1)
- mouthguards (5)
- gummy smile (1)
- adult braces (1)
- cancer treatment (1)
- periodontist (1)
- gum recession (2)
- sealants (1)
- cancer (1)
- sports drinks (1)
- cosmetic gum surgery (1)
- composite resin (1)
- bone grafting (1)
- tooth pain (3)
- dry mouth (1)
- smoking (1)
- dental implant (8)
- retainer (1)
- extraction (1)
- osteoporosis (1)
- vaping (1)
- lingual braces (1)
- antibiotics (1)
- loose tooth (1)
- mouth sore (1)