{"id":79,"date":"2026-05-01T19:30:58","date_gmt":"2026-05-01T19:30:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.harper-dental.com\/blog\/?p=79"},"modified":"2026-06-08T19:31:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-08T19:31:18","slug":"4-things-dentist-never-puts-in-mouth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.harper-dental.com\/blog\/4-things-dentist-never-puts-in-mouth\/","title":{"rendered":"4 Things Your Dentist Never Puts in Their Mouth"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignleft size-medium\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.harper-dental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_422265317__11___1780946922_99048-300x200.jpg\" alt=\"Dentist taking break from work to smile for camera. \" class=\"wp-image-81\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.harper-dental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_422265317__11___1780946922_99048-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.harper-dental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_422265317__11___1780946922_99048-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.harper-dental.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/AdobeStock_422265317__11___1780946922_99048.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dentists spend their careers helping patients maintain healthy teeth and gums, so it&#8217;s no surprise that they tend to be mindful of the foods and habits that can <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harper-dental.com\/emergency-dentistry.html\">harm oral health<\/a>. While most dentists enjoy treats in moderation just like everyone else, there are certain things they generally avoid because they know firsthand the damage they can cause.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you&#8217;ve ever wondered what dental professionals do to protect their own smiles, here are 4 things your dentist is unlikely to put in their mouth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Ice Cubes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Chewing on ice may seem harmless because it&#8217;s just frozen water, but dentists know it can be surprisingly damaging to teeth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ice is extremely hard, and biting down on it can:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Chip teeth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Crack enamel.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Damage dental fillings or crowns.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cause tooth sensitivity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even healthy teeth can suffer damage from repeated ice chewing. Dentists typically recommend enjoying your cold drinks without crunching the ice afterward.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Sticky Candies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sticky candies such as caramel, taffy, gummy bears, and chewy fruit snacks are among the least dentist-friendly treats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These candies cling to tooth surfaces and often become trapped in grooves and between teeth. The longer sugar remains in contact with teeth, the more opportunity bacteria have to produce cavity-causing acids.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sticky candies can also pull on dental restorations, increasing the risk of loosening fillings, crowns, or other dental work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If dentists choose to indulge in sweets, they are often more likely to select options that clear from the mouth quickly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Sugary Soft Drinks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dentists understand that sugary sodas create a double threat for teeth. Not only do they contain large amounts of sugar, but they are also highly acidic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This combination can contribute to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Tooth decay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Enamel erosion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased tooth sensitivity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Staining.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even diet sodas can be problematic because many still contain acids that weaken enamel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When it comes to beverages, water is often the preferred choice for maintaining a healthy smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Hard Candies<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hard candies may seem less harmful than sticky sweets, but they can pose serious risks to dental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many people are tempted to bite down on hard candies, which can lead to chipped or fractured teeth. Even if they aren&#8217;t chewed, hard candies slowly dissolve in the mouth, exposing teeth to sugar for an extended period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lollipops.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jawbreakers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Peppermints.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Butterscotch candies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The prolonged sugar exposure increases the risk of cavities, making these treats less than ideal for oral health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">It&#8217;s Not About Perfection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It&#8217;s important to remember that dentists aren&#8217;t perfect, and they occasionally enjoy treats like everyone else. The difference is that they understand the risks and typically practice moderation while maintaining excellent oral hygiene habits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They also recognize the value of preventive care, including regular brushing, flossing, fluoride use, and routine dental visits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The foods and habits dentists avoid often provide valuable clues about protecting your own smile. Steering clear of ice chewing, sticky candies, sugary soft drinks, and hard candies can help reduce your risk of cavities, enamel damage, and dental emergencies. By making smart choices and practicing good oral hygiene, you can keep your teeth healthier and stronger for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">About the Practice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Has putting something in your mouth you probably shouldn\u2019t have led to a dental emergency? No problem, we can take great care of you at Harper Dental in Fort Smith, where we offer same-day, after-hours, and weekend emergency appointments to get you in quickly. Our compassionate dental team is here for every patient, which includes sedation methods for our patients who are anxious about coming to see us. Whatever the issue is, we promise to be there for you. Book online <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harper-dental.com\/contact.html\">now<\/a> or call (479) 452-1638.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Dentists spend their careers helping patients maintain healthy teeth and gums, so it&#8217;s no surprise that they tend to be mindful of the foods and habits that can harm oral health. While most dentists enjoy treats in moderation just like everyone else, there are certain things they generally avoid because they know firsthand the damage [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-79","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>4 Things Your Dentist Never Puts in Their Mouth - Harper Dental Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Knowing what your dentist wouldn\u2019t put in their mouth may help you understand what to avoid. 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