Your overall dental health is the product of many different habits, such as what you eat and drink, how you use your teeth, and how you clean your teeth. Unfortunately, many common habits wear down people’s teeth without them knowing. Here are a few you should avoid before your next trip to the dentist.
Biting hard objects
Do you like chewing on ice? Are you prone to biting packages or objects when you can’t get them open? Do you have a bad habit of chewing your nails? All of these habits can weaken your teeth, making you more prone to tooth chipping and damage. Always remember that your teeth were designed to break down and digest food, not open envelopes or packages.
Consuming sugary foods and drinks
Soda is a sugary, acidic drink that can slowly damage your tooth’s enamel if you are constantly drinking it. Like many other sweet, sugary foods and drinks, you should moderate your soda intake if you want to avoid cavities and other dental problems. You should also moderate your consumption of sticky, sugary candies, since portions of them can get stuck in between your teeth, making them harder to clean.
Not cleaning your teeth enough
This one should be fairly obvious. The best way to prevent dental problems is by brushing, flossing, and rinsing your teeth daily at least twice a day. Cleaning your teeth and mouth eliminates the harmful bacteria that lead to gum disease and long-term dental issues. It also prevents the buildup of tartar on your teeth that can lead to inflammation.
Brushing your teeth too hard
It isn’t enough just to clean your teeth. How you clean them is just as important. Exerting unnatural amounts of force on your teeth is unhealthy in any case, whether you’re biting down on ice or pressing too forcefully with your toothbrush. Be sure to brush gently but thoroughly. If your toothbrush is naturally hard and uncomfortable, it might be a good idea to get a new one or switch to an electric toothbrush.
Using tobacco
Whether you smoke cigarettes or chew smokeless tobacco, putting tobacco in your mouth exposes you to a host of potential problems such as gum disease, stained or discolored teeth, tooth loss, and even oral cancer in the worst cases. There is no question that using tobacco is an unhealthy habit, both for your lungs and your mouth and teeth.