Habits That are Damaging your Teeth

Do you brush and floss your teeth regularly and rinse your mouth after every meal but still face several dental issues? Have you ever thought about where you have gone wrong? Dr. Michael Boyce at Arden Dental Care has compiled a few bad habits that can damage your teeth.

When it comes to the maintenance of oral health, one can never be too careful. By knowing those habits that damage the teeth, one can make sure that they take care of their teeth well. 

Smoking

We know smoking can lead to several medical problems and fatal diseases. Smoking is bad for our oral health as well. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that smoking can affect our body's ability to fight infection, thus putting smokers at an increased risk of gum disease. Besides, smoking can lower the oxygen in our bloodstream and affect our body's ability to heal from infections.

Smoking can also ruin the health and aesthetics of our smile and face by causing tooth staining and tooth loss, and in more severe cases, mouth cancer.

Brushing Too Hard

Brushing too vigorously can damage the enamel of our teeth. When the enamel has sustained too much damage, teeth sensitivity increases, and the teeth become more vulnerable to decay and cavities. Brushing hard can also cause gum recession, exposing the underlying tooth root. This can make the teeth sensitive and increase the chances of having cavities on the roots.

Brush your teeth gently using soft-bristled toothbrushes in circular motions on the surface to preserve the tooth enamel.

Grinding Your Teeth

The regular habit of teeth grinding or clenching can wreak havoc on your teeth and jaws. It can destroy the enamel of the teeth, cause sensitivity, and increase the risk of the development of cavities. Tooth grinding also puts undesired pressure on the jaw joints, causing jaw pain and TMJ issues. If you have the habit of teeth grinding, especially during sleep, visit our Arden Dental Care dentist for night guards. 

Using Your Teeth as Tools

Our teeth are meant to serve the purposes of eating, speaking, and enhancing our smiles. But many people use teeth to open bottles, break off tags from clothes, etc. This can damage the teeth and cause unexpected fractures, cracks, or even tooth loss.

Nail Biting

Life can be stressful. However, don't channel that stress into biting your nails. Your fingernails are strong, and with nail-biting, you can chip or crack your teeth. 

Excess Intake of Carbonated Drinks

Regular intake of carbonated or sugary drinks can damage the enamel, make our teeth weak and vulnerable to cavities. So, stay away from carbonated and sugary drinks whenever possible.

Using Toothpicks

If the sharp edge of the toothpick pierces through the gum tissues, it can lead to bleeding, gum inflammation, and recession. So, be careful while using toothpicks not to damage your teeth and gums.

Don't Chew on Ice

Biting on ice cubes can end up damaging your teeth and cause the teeth to chip or even break. So, do not bite or crush the ice with your teeth.

To learn more about preventive dentistry, schedule an appointment with Dr. Michael Boyce by calling at 916-481-2001.