We know that our oral health is closely linked to our overall health. Habits such as biting your nails or chewing on pens and pencils can chip or crack your teeth and may lead to tooth decay. Besides, if you neglect your oral hygiene, it can lead to a number of dental problems. Listed below are a few bad habits that can damage our oral health.
- Nail Biting
Nail biting is a habitual bad habit that can damage our oral health. When we bite fingernails or other objects, we place stress on our teeth which can cause chipping and damage. In addition to this, when we chew nails, it wears down the tooth enamel over time. This can lead to sensitivity in your teeth, requiring you to visit the dentist more often for cavity fillings. Not only this but chewing on objects also spreads germs from your mouth to your hands and vice versa. This promotes more bacteria growth in your mouth, causing bad breath and cavities. We recommend stopping nail biting to prevent dental issues.
- Smoking
The habit of chewing tobacco and smoking cigarettes has a number of oral health risks associated with it. Firstly, it increases your risk of developing oral cancer. Secondly, it can cause bad breath and yellowing of the teeth. Thirdly, it can increase your risk of gum disease as well as tooth loss. Fourthly, it can affect your sense of taste, making food less enjoyable to consume. Finally, it can affect the appearance of your teeth and make them appear stained or discolored over time.
Talk to your dentist about how to quit smoking. If needed, they will provide counseling on how to do so effectively. They can also provide other ways to deal with nicotine withdrawals, such as chewing gum or nicotine patch to help ease the discomforts of quitting.
- Brushing Teeth Aggressively
When you brush your teeth aggressively, you can damage your teeth and gums by causing gum recession and tooth enamel erosion. It is also possible to break or chip your teeth. The best thing you can do to avoid these problems is to brush gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste at least twice a day to lower your risk for cavities and gum disease.
If you have a stiff-bristled toothbrush, you should consider trying a softer one. Stiffness in your toothbrush can cause you to put too much pressure on your teeth when you brush. This can wear down your tooth enamel and lead to problems such as sensitive teeth and receding gums. It’s also important to choose the right size toothbrush for your mouth so you’re not using one that is too big. A toothbrush that is too big can cause you to put more force on your teeth than necessary when brushing, leading to problems as well.
The American Dental Association recommends replacing your toothbrush about every three months or sooner if the bristles start to fray. You should also replace your toothbrush after you have been sick because germs can collect in the bristles. It’s also a good idea to change your toothbrush after your braces are removed to prevent reinfection of your gums.
If you think you’re brushing your teeth too aggressively, please contact our office so our dentists can examine your mouth and make sure you’re doing everything possible to maintain good oral health. We will be happy to help you with any issues you might be having.
- Teeth Grinding
Mouth guards can help you protect your smile from the effects of bruxism or unconscious teeth grinding and clenching of the jaw muscles. By wearing the mouth guard at night while you sleep, you can prevent your teeth from being worn down by grinding and clenching.
When you grind your teeth at night, you can cause fractures in your tooth enamel. This can lead to other oral health complications, such as pain and sensitivity. You may also have headaches in the morning due to your nighttime tooth-grinding habit. If you only notice signs of damage caused by teeth grinding when you look in the mirror, you may not realize you have a harmful habit that could harm your smile. However, your dentist can check for signs of damage at your checkups. Your dentist can also help you treat bruxism with mouthguards and night guards.
- Using Teeth As Tools
Sometimes we can use our teeth for things other than chewing food. Unfortunately, this can cause damage like loosened or broken teeth or veneers and even tooth loss in extreme cases. For example, if you bite down on hard candy or use your teeth to open packages, it can wear away the enamel of a tooth. Using a tool like a bottle opener can save your teeth from unnecessary wear.
- Not Visiting The Dentist Regularly
Most dentists recommend that patients visit their office at least twice per year to get regular cleaning and examination. These appointments allow your dentist to check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer early so that you can avoid more invasive treatments later. Not seeing your dentist twice a year can lead to serious health issues. When plaque and tartar are left on the teeth, and below the gum line, it can lead to gingivitis, which is an early stage of gum disease. Gingivitis is reversible with good oral hygiene at home, so if you catch it early enough, it can be reversed. If left untreated, however, it can progress to periodontitis, which affects tissues that support your teeth and cause your gums to pull away from your teeth. This can lead to tooth loss. So skip one cleaning, and you risk suffering the consequences of poor oral health in the future.
Learn more tips to improve your oral health by calling us at (832) 939-9999 or emailing us at info@sweetwaterdentalstudio.com. Visit us in Sweetwater Dental Studio at 4840 Sweetwater Blvd suite A, Sugar Land, TX 77479.