26/08/2025
Using teeth to open bottles, tear packets, or cut threads is a split-second shortcut that can cause permanent damage. Teeth are living structures covered by enamel — strong but brittle — and they are not built to act like pliers or scissors.
A chip or tiny crack may seem minor, but microscopic fractures grow. Bacteria can enter through these breaks, causing decay, sensitivity, and sometimes infection. Deep cracks often reach the pulp and require root canal treatment, crowns, or even extraction — treatments that are costly and irreversible.
Prevention is simple and effective: use the correct tool for the job. If a tooth is already chipped or painful, don’t delay — early treatment preserves more tooth structure and costs far less than advanced restorations.
Protect your smile for life: let teeth do what they were made for — chewing and smiling — and leave the tough work to proper tools. Credit to Dental Daily.
Dentist @ Pretoria North Medical Centre, 259 Burger Street Tel 0125656283 option 8.
