People make goals to improve their physical and mental well-being, but oral health is frequently neglected. But maintaining good oral health is important for your general well-being or even reaching out to dental services near you could help.
While many of us are fairly consistent about maintaining good dental hygiene practices—we brush and floss our teeth and visit the dentist frequently—we also tend to continue engaging in our bad habits.
The top ten bad behaviors for your teeth are listed below, along with advice on how to stop them and maintain a healthy smile.
1. Chewing on Ice
It comes naturally to crunch on the remaining ice cubes after enjoying a cold refreshment. Ice is just water, after all, so how can it harm your oral health? But in truth, gnawing on ice can seriously harm your teeth. When you chew on ice, you run the risk of breaking tooth enamel, which can be very painful and necessitate an urgent trip to the dentist.
To avoid needing ice, chill your liquid before consuming it. If you must add ice to your beverage, use a straw to avoid the temptation to eat the ice. This dental care will secure your teeth from unneeded harm.
2. Biting Your Nails
For a variety of reasons, biting your nails is a terrible practice. Dentists advise against it because of all the bacteria you are putting in your teeth, but nail biting also has negative effects on your dental health. First off, biting your cuticles can result in tooth damage. Because you are placing the same strain on the same teeth repeatedly, routine nail biting can also cause your teeth to shift out of position. This may cause your teeth to shift and lessen the attractiveness of your grin. Furthermore, biting your nails can harm your mandible in the long run.
Regular nail biting causes your jaw to protrude forward for prolonged amounts of time, putting unnatural strain on it and increasing your risk of developing TMJ and jaw dysfunction.
3. Brushing Your Teeth Hard
Brushing your teeth is an excellent dental hygiene habit and a prerequisite for preserving dental health. But if you clean your teeth too vigorously, you might end up hurting yourself more than helping. Brushing too hard can wear down the enamel on your teeth, leaving them more vulnerable to injury, decay, and sensitivity. Too much force when brushing your teeth can also irritate your gums and even cause them to recede, exposing your roots and making you more sensitive to foods and beverages that are chilly, hot, sweet, or acidic.
4. Using Teeth to Open Packets
Teeth aren’t tools! Your teeth are designed for eating, not for opening containers or carrying heavy items if your arms are full. Several dental injuries, such as cracked or chipped teeth and jaw injuries, can result from using your teeth for purposes other than eating. These wounds may hurt and harm your oral health in the long run. The possible harm is not worth the convenience of using your teeth as tools.
5. Clenching Teeth
People who are under a lot of stress may unknowingly acquire a habit of clenching and grinding their teeth. This may cause your teeth to chip or crack, as well as harm your jaw and cause you discomfort. Your teeth may eventually deteriorate due to these bad practices.
6. Consuming Sugary Treats
Your oral health may suffer if you consume sugary foods and beverages. Large or concentrated sugar intake should be avoided as it encourages dental decay. This includes sweet snacks, sodas, sports drinks, fruit juices, and sweets. These are all high in sugar and increase your chance of developing cavities. Sodas contain acids that erode your teeth’ enamel in addition to sugar, increasing your risk of tooth decay.
7. Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
The use of tobacco can seriously harm your dental health. They discolor your teeth, lead to gum and periodontal disease, and can even result in dental decay and tooth loss. Additionally, tobacco products can lead to oral, tongue, and lip cancer. Smoking and tobacco use has a detrimental impact on every part of your mouth.
In a Nutshell:
If any of the above-mentioned bad behaviors have affected you in the past, decide to kick them to the curb and start anew with good dental hygiene. This might seem like a difficult job, but if you just tackle each little decision as it comes, you can do it with ease! The ideal spot to begin is by getting dental services in Vancouver. With the aid of a dentist near you, your dental health will be greatly improved by developing the good practice of visiting the dentist regularly. At City Square Dental Center, we can assist you in developing wholesome oral hygiene practices. Our dentists in Vancouver provide all the services you require to maintain good dental health, whether you require restorative dental care or regular cleanings.