Practicing good habits on a daily basis can help improve your oral and overall health. On the other hand, certain habits can damage your oral health. Avoid damaging your smile by refraining from using these bad habits!
- Nail Biting
Chewing your nails may damage your teeth over time. It can also wear down the teeth enamel and shorten the teeth. Hence, the behavior is a habit you may want to kick to the curb. If you can’t break the habit on your own, ask your dentist about options to help you quit. It may take a while to break the behavior, so try to be patient and persistent. You want to protect your teeth and have a strong smile for life, right?
- Smoking
Cigarette smoke contains more than 7000 chemicals in total, and over 70 of those are identified as carcinogens – substances that cause cancer. The tar in cigarette smoke can stain tooth enamel yellow or brown in color. It can also trigger gum disease, tooth decay, and even oral cancer over time. Smokers are at a much higher risk for periodontal diseases than non-smokers. Cigarette smokers are also more likely to get cavities than non-smokers. If you are a smoker, quit the habit at the earliest.
- Brushing Teeth Aggressively
People tend to brush their teeth too hard because they think it will clean them better or make them whiter. Unfortunately, this habit harms your teeth and wears away tooth enamel over time. This means your dentin will be exposed, which often leads to sensitivity issues and cavities. Dentists also recommend that you brush your teeth for two full minutes using a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
- Using Teeth As Tools
Do you use your teeth as tools to pry things open, such as bottle caps and packages? Using your teeth as tools can lead to cracked or broken teeth and can also cause them to chip and break. This can lead to pain when you bite down too forcefully. So, quit the habit and choose appropriate tools instead.
- Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding can wear down your teeth and cause jaw pain and headaches. You’ll be more likely to grind your teeth if you suffer from anxiety or sleep disorders like snoring and sleep apnea. You can also develop the habit of grinding your teeth from stress. If you’re a tooth grinder, you’ll need to pay a visit to your dentist to discuss ways to prevent grinding and damage to the enamel layer of your teeth. Your dentist may recommend wearing a mouth guard at night to protect your teeth while you sleep.
To learn more, contact Sina Malekuti DDS, PC, at 6120 Brandon Ave Suite 303, Springfield, VA 22150, or call (703) 451-3211.
