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5 Habits That Are Bad For Your Oral Health
Most of us have these bad habits. Sometimes we don't realize that our habits are harmful to our teeth. Listed below are a few such habits that can harm our teeth.
- Nail Biting
Nail biting is an unconscious habit, and most of the time, we do not even know that we are doing it. Not only can it affect our facial health, but it can also damage our teeth. The habit can chip or break your teeth and erode your teeth' enamel. If you are someone who bites your nails, consider talking to your dentist about ways to address this problem.
- Brushing Teeth Aggressively
Brushing your teeth aggressively can erode your enamel and damage the gums. Your toothbrush should be gently pressed against the tooth surface in a circular motion while you move it from tooth to tooth. Change the position of the brush head to reach all surfaces of the teeth and along the gum line. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste to avoid causing any damage.
- Smoking
Whether you smoke or chew tobacco, both are bad for your oral health! This habit can lead to oral cancer. It also causes yellowed teeth and bad breath. What's more, it also irritates your gum tissue and can cause receding gums. If you want to quit smoking for good, you can talk to your dentist for help. He can prescribe medications to help you quit the habit. You can also ask your family and friends for support. Knowing that they are there to encourage you to stop this bad habit will help you be motivated to quit.
- Teeth Grinding
Many people grind their teeth at night while they sleep without even knowing it. This habit can damage the integrity of your teeth and cause you discomfort or pain over time. If your dentist has told you that you are the chronic teeth grinder type, there are some ways you can address this problem and improve your quality of life. First, if you grind your teeth at night, consider getting a night guard made. A night guard is a plastic mouthpiece that you wear over your teeth while you sleep to prevent them from rubbing against one another. The friction caused by grinding can weaken teeth and cause enamel to wear away. Night guards are an easy and affordable solution to protecting your teeth from damage. Second, if you are suffering from stress due to your job or other life circumstances, you may want to learn to breathe deeply to help you relax at night before bed. When you are under a lot of stress, your body releases adrenaline which causes you to become jittery. This can cause you to clench your jaw out of nervousness and anxiety - which can become habitual. Learning how to relax your mind and body will go a long way in helping you break any bad nighttime habits you may be engaging in.
- Using Teeth As Tools
"We've all done it – used our teeth to open packages or tear tags off of clothes because we couldn't get a pair of scissors. However, this is a dangerous habit because our teeth are not meant to be used as tools. Instead, use scissors or another tool to avoid damaging your teeth.
For a comfortable dental experience, please reach out to our dental practice in Manteca, CA, to have a consultation with our family dentist. Please call us at (209) 823-9218 or schedule an online consultation, and we'll guide you further.