Brushing and flossing teeth is as far as many people are willing to go when it comes to maintaining good oral health. But certain habits you carry along threaten your oral health every day.
And breaking these habits may make the difference between losing your teeth or keeping a happy and confident smile for life.
Some of the habits you need to break for good oral health are:
1. Improper Brushing Techniques
Brushing teeth is vital in maintaining good oral health. But only when done right. Incorrect techniques like brushing too fast or too hard with a hard-bristled or old toothbrush can cause your teeth more harm than good.
Dentists recommend brushing twice a day using a soft toothbrush and changing it after 3-4 months.
2. Grinding and Clenching Your Teeth
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is associated with anxiety, stress, and sleep disorders. Bruxism wears down teeth over time leading to cracking or chipping. Plus, deeper parts of the teeth may get exposed leading to sensitivity, painful jaws, or a locked jaw.
Many people don’t realize they’ve formed this habit and controlling it may seem difficult. However, finding better ways to deal with anxiety and stress like deep breathing, exercising, therapy, and wearing a mouthguard can help kick out this bad habit for good.
3. Chewing on Hard Objects
Snacking on ice cubes, chewing stationary, and biting your fingernails are habits you need to break right away. Chewing on hard objects exerts pressure on the jaw, shifts your teeth’s position, and exposes you to tooth-decaying bacteria. In the long run, the pressure creates tiny cracks in the teeth and irritates your teeth’s soft tissues leaving you in pain and misery.
As you work on breaking the habit, it’s best to reach out for sugarless gum when you feel the urge to chew since it’s soft and puts less pressure on your teeth.
4. Taking Sugary Foods and Drinks
Sugar found in foods and beverages such as cakes, sugary candies, fizzy drinks, and chips is converted into acids that break down the enamel exposing your teeth to decay. And the decay can get worse if you snack constantly throughout the day.
Replacing starchy foods and sweet beverages with healthy food items like fresh fruits, fruit-infused water, or plain water will prevent plaque buildup and keep gum disease and other teeth problems away.
5. Skipping Dental Checkups
Skipping dental checkups is highly detrimental to your oral health. During a dental checkup, the dentist cleans the teeth to remove plaque and tartar buildup and looks for any signs of decay or other oral health problems for early treatment.
If you want to keep your teeth for life and maintain good overall health, make regular dentist visits part of your lifestyle.
Contact Dixon Dental Center for Superior Preventive Dental Care
Preventive dental care is key to keeping your oral health in check. Our professionals at Dixon Dental Center offer quality preventive dental care services that help you achieve good oral health throughout your life. Contact us to schedule an appointment.