We often use the term “bad habits” dismissively, as things we know we shouldn’t do. But hey, we do them anyway, and it’s not such a big deal, right?
Don’t let the title fool you – a bad dental habit can have lasting consequences. If you want your teeth to be around for years to come, these are five habits you need to drop, and quick.
Using Teeth as Tools
Sure, plastic packaging seems to be getting downright mean, and who knows where you put down the scissors this time? But before you put that chip bag between your teeth to rip it open, pause for a second.
When you use your teeth to tear, cut, pry, or crunch something that isn’t food, you put your teeth and jaw in an awkward, unnatural position. This strains muscles and puts pressure on teeth in ways they weren’t meant to handle. You can actually end up cracking a tooth this way, which is not only painful, but could lead to breaking, infection, and an eventual extraction.
Next time you’re tempted to take a dental shortcut, do your teeth a favor and use something that was designed for the job.
Clenching Your Teeth
We’ve all caught ourselves doing this at some point, especially when stressed or seriously concentrating. But if you find yourself clenching your jaw more than once a week – or even a day – you’re putting your teeth at risk. Concentrated force can harm your jaw muscles, leading to a joint disorder, and might even crack your teeth.
If you’re under frequent stress, try to find ways to manage or avoid it wherever possible. In the meantime, try to reduce teeth clenching by letting your jaw rest slightly open and keeping your tongue positioned between your teeth.
Brushing Too Hard
If you’re a tough scrubber, you may be doing your teeth more harm than good. Constant hard strokes from the toothbrush can gradually wear down tooth enamel. Instead, use gentle back-and-forth strokes along your teeth and gums, which is more than enough to clean away food particles and bacteria. If you need help, some electric toothbrushes alert you when you brush too hard.
Consuming Sugary or Acidic Foods and Drinks
The occasional treat may not be much to worry about, but the average diet of sugars and acidic things is a nightmare for teeth. It increases cavity-causing bacteria, irritates gums, and stains your teeth all at once.
Make an effort to balance your diet with healthier foods, especially vegetables, and drink mostly water, which rinses your mouth while you hydrate. When you do indulge, try to brush your teeth within 30 minutes.
Ditching Your Mouth Guard During Games
You may love your sport, but if you also love your teeth, don’t walk onto that field without your mouth guard in place. Even if you’ve survived games and practices without it before, all it takes is one good hit for you to be missing a tooth. If your current mouth guard is uncomfortable, ask the dentist about having a custom guard made, which will fit better and keep your teeth safe.
One good dental habit you can start is seeing the dentist every six months for checkups. Need to schedule an appointment? Contact our office today!