Most of us have sneezed pretty hard in our lifetime. If you suffer from allergies due to pollen, dust, or even pet dander, then you likely have a habit of sneezing on a regular basis. This simple and natural bodily function that is designed to expel foreign contaminants from the body is thought to be harmless, for the most part, but it can actually do some damage to your teeth.
It’s one reason (among many) that you should make and keep regular dental checkups with your local dentist.
How sneezing can affect your teeth.
The next time that you have to sneeze, try to stop and pay attention to what happens during the process. For most of us, sneezing is second nature; we don’t often think much about it or give it a second thought. That doesn’t mean that nothing bad is actually occurring as a result of the sneeze.
Some reports suggest that the moisture, mucus, or anything else that flies out of a person’s mouth can travel at up to 160 kilometers per hour, but that’s not exactly accurate. In some rare cases it can reach that, but a sneeze is still powerful.
Pay attention to what happens when you sneeze. Whether you try to stifle it or let it run free, there’s a good amount of force behind it. What happens to your teeth?
Many times if they aren’t already, your jaw slams shut. This can cause your teeth to crack against one another. If you have healthy teeth and gums, this might cause a bit of a shock if your teeth collide just right, otherwise it’s no big deal.
If your teeth are sensitive or you have damage with them, it can actually crack the teeth. You may not even know that a tooth has been cracked until much later one when you begin to notice an increase in sensitivity or pain.
If you sneeze hard and ‘hear’ your teeth snap against one another, make a mental note to visit your dentist. It doesn’t happen every time you sneeze, but when it’s strong enough, the potential exists to cause damage.