You probably practice healthy habits like brushing and flossing every day to keep your smile beautiful. However, breaking bad habits is just as important as keeping good ones when it comes to your oral health. You may be damaging your teeth and gums every day with a few common but destructive unconscious behaviors. Your dentist near Wall Township reveals five everyday activities that are hurting your pearly whites and what you can do about them.
1.) Brushing Incorrectly
If you brush your teeth incorrectly, you may be doing more harm than good. Using too much force while brushing scratches away your enamel and irritates your gum tissue, which can lead to more cavities and sensitive teeth. If you find yourself sawing away at your teeth while brushing, try using a soft-bristled electric toothbrush and remind yourself to gently massage your teeth instead.
2.) Bad Chewing Habits
What do you do when you’re bored, anxious, or frustrated? Chewing on hard objects like pen caps, ice, or fingernails wears your teeth down and weakens them, leaving them vulnerable to chips, cracks, and fractures. If you really need to chew on something, try a piece of sugarless gum or a crunchy apple.
3.) Using Your Teeth as Tools
If you’re opening a long-anticipated piece of mail or just excited to get into your favorite bag of chips, you may be tempted to use your teeth to do the job. However, using your teeth as tools is a bad habit that could quickly lead to broken teeth. Keep scissors and bottle openers somewhere easy to reach so you’ll remember to use them instead of your pearly whites.
4.) Mindlessly Munching
Snacking throughout the day drastically increases your risk of tooth decay. Even healthy items like pieces of fruit supply your oral bacteria with the sugar they need to produce acids that are harmful to your enamel. The more often you eat, the more often you fuel the bacteria, so try to keep eating to mealtimes or drink plenty of water with your snacks.
5.) Skipping Your Regular Dental Checkups
Even if your teeth look and feel fine, it’s important to see your dentist regularly every six months. They’re specially trained to detect the earliest signs of oral health issues like gum disease and oral cancer. This way, they can begin treatment before you can even see or feel them. However, the main goal of routine dental checkups is to prevent these issues from developing in the first place! Routine dental checkups twice a year are one of the best habits you can have to keep your smile happy and healthy.
About the Author
At Dooley Dental in Spring Lake, NJ, we want to help you keep your smile healthy, beautiful, and intact for your entire life. Routine dental checkups with Dr. Edward Dooley are an excellent way to treat any oral health issues before they cause you damage or discomfort. However, the main goal of each visit is to prevent these issues from developing in the first place! He uses advanced dental techniques and state-of-the-art technology to ensure that you always receive the comfortable, efficient, and effective care you deserve. If you need help breaking bad dental habits or repairing the damage they’ve caused your smile, don’t hesitate to contact him via his website or at (732) 974-2288.
