Even if you brush and floss your teeth religiously, there may be certain things you are doing everyday that put your oral health at risk.
Here are 8 habits that you should stop doing to avoid dental problems:
1. Brushing Too Hard
Your teeth may look tough however they need the right kind of care to stay healthy. Avoid using a hard-bristled toothbrush or pressing too hard on your teeth and gums. Instead go for a soft bristled toothbrush and use wide strokes as you brush your teeth. And remember for 2 minutes, twice a day, everyday- this is essential for a healthy smile.
2. Chewing or Biting on Hard Items
If you bite your nails, chew on hard lollies or ice cubes, you should curb these habits right away. These can damage your teeth and hurt your jaw, in fact nail biting and chomping down on ice can result in chipped teeth.
Chewing nails is a bad habit that can damage your teeth
3. Grinding or Clenching your Teeth
A highly damaging habit is grinding or clenching your teeth .Most people do this unknowingly while asleep. Teeth grinding and clenching can lead to jaw muscle pain, restricted jaw movement, Jaw and Joint Pain (TMJ) which you can read a previously blog we have written here; and of course, damaged teeth. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, speak with your dentist immediately so they can help you with this problem.
4. Smoking and Chewing Tobacco
Chewing tobacco and smoking- whether it's cigarettes or cigars- are not only harmful to your health in general but also increase your risk of developing gum disease, dry mouth, bad breath, tooth decay and oral cancer. If you are a tobacco product consumer, it would be in your best interest to ditch this bad habit now.
5. Picking at Your Teeth
Poking around in your mouth with a toothpick or some other non- dental implement can lead to infected gums. If you need to remove food stuck between your teeth, be sure to use dental floss or a dentist approved cleaning tool.
6. Not Being Careful with Your Teeth
Using your teeth to take off the cap off a bottle or open packaging can lead to cracked or damage teeth or in some cases cause a jaw injury. It's important to remember that teeth are fragile and will be damaged if you are not careful with them. It's best to let scissors and bottle openers do the job for this one!
Soft drinks can remove the enamel from your teeth
7. Drinking Sugary Carbonated Drinks
Drinking soft drink regularly can eventually result in erosion of your tooth enamel. The same can be said for sugary snacks or treats that encourage the proliferation of harmful bacteria in your mouth, leading to tooth decay. Rather than drinking soft drinks and sweetened juice, try opt for water to cleanse your mouth and stay hydrated. Milk, green or black tea can also help with strengthening your tooth enamel and protect your teeth from bacteria.
8. Avoiding Your Dentist
Keeping regular dental appointments is crucial to your oral health as your dentist can detect any problems you might be having and treat them before they get worse. We know that going to the dentist can cause stress and anxiety for some people, therefore we would recommend reading more about dental sedation and how we can help you here at Sleep Dentistry Melbourne. You an read one of our previous blog articles about the sedation options we offer at our clinics here.
If you would like to know more about sleep dentistry you can read more about us here. Alternatively, to book a consultation or appointment you can call us at 1300 255 600 or fill out our contact form. Our staff will be more than happy to help you with any questions that you have.
