Smile, Teeth Are Not Tools

We know the type. You’re the person who can fix a dock with some duct tape and a prayer. You’re the one who refuses to make two trips to bring in the groceries. You’re resilient, resourceful, and practical.

But we have a bone to pick with you (or rather, a tooth).

Somewhere along the line, many of us adopted the idea that our teeth are indestructible multi-tools. We treat them like pliers, scissors, and nutcrackers. And while your enamel is indeed the hardest substance in your human body, it has a kryptonite: leverage.

If you want to avoid an emergency visit to our chair—and the crown that comes with it—it’s time to retire your teeth from their "day job" as tools. Here are three habits we see in Little River that make our dentists cringe (just a little).

1. The "Tags and Bags" Maneuver

We’ve all been there. You just bought a new shirt, or a bag of chips, and you can’t find the scissors. Instinct takes over. You bite down on that little plastic tag or the corner of the bag and rip.

• The Reality: That shearing motion is practically designed to chip the edges of your front teeth. Those front teeth (incisors) are thin and built for slicing into food, not tearing through industrial plastic.

• The Fix: Keep a small pocket knife or a pair of scissors in the kitchen drawer. It takes five extra seconds to find them, which is a lot less time than it takes to bond a chipped tooth.

2. The Obsession with "The Good Ice"

In the South, we have very strong opinions about ice. There’s "restaurant ice," "fridge ice," and the holy grail: "pellet ice" (you know the kind). It’s crunchy, chewable, and oddly addictive.

• The Reality: Chewing ice is like taking a tiny geological hammer to your enamel. It creates microscopic fractures in the surface of your teeth. Over time, these tiny cracks grow larger until—pop—a piece of tooth breaks off while you’re eating something soft, like mashed potatoes.

• The Fix: Let the ice melt! If you need a crunch, switch to apples or carrots. They scrub your teeth instead of shattering them.

3. The "Third Hand" Technique

You’ve got a fishing pole in one hand, a tackle box in the other, and a cooler wedged between your knees. You need to open the car door, so you hold your keys in your mouth. Or perhaps you hold sewing needles, nails, or bobby pins between your teeth while you work.

• The Reality: Metal on enamel is a losing battle for the enamel. One trip, stumble, or sudden jerk, and that metal object can act like a wedge, cracking a tooth or damaging existing dental work, such as fillings or veneers.

• The Fix: Pockets. Tool belts. Put the box down. We admire the multitasking, but your smile is too valuable to use as a clamp.

Oops... I Already Did That. Now What?

If you’re reading this and running your tongue over a jagged edge where you opened a package last week, don't panic. We aren’t here to say "I told you so."

At Carolina Family Dental, fixing "life happens" moments is what we do best. Whether it’s smoothing out a small chip with dental bonding or strengthening a cracked tooth with a custom crown, we can get your smile back to looking (and functioning) perfectly.

We love your DIY spirit—just keep it in the garage and out of your mouth!

Do you have a tooth that’s taken a beating from bad habits? Let’s get it fixed before it turns into a toothache. Call us at 843-734-0212 or book online today.