Five Habits That Can Harm Good Dental Care

Good oral hygiene and regular visits to a dentist go a long way when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. That is not all it takes to keep your mouth healthy though. You also need to develop good habits that promote healthy teeth and gums while avoiding bad habits that can damage your teeth and leave them vulnerable.

Habits that can negate good dental care

Let us take a look at some habits that can make it hard to keep your teeth healthy regardless of how good your oral hygiene habits are.

1. Excessive sugar consumption

Sugar is the worst thing you can expose your teeth to since oral bacteria feed on it and excrete acids that damage teeth. Sugar is added to many of the foods and beverages we consume daily, and it is delicious, making it hard to eliminate from our diets. Many dentists recommend brushing after every meal to reduce the impact sugars in foods have on teeth.

People who have a sweet tooth and love snacking on sugary treats or sipping on sweet beverages have an increased risk of developing tooth decay – which can damage the structures of their teeth and avoid staining. This is one habit anyone who wants to keep their teeth decay-free should avoid.

Since it is virtually impossible to eliminate sugar from your diet, try limiting how long your teeth are coated with sugars by rinsing after meals and snacks or drinking some water. Resist the urge to snack on sugary foods or beverages all day and replace that habit with healthier alternatives.

2. Teeth grinding

Teeth grinding can leave your teeth severely damage due to the extreme bite forces they are forced to deal with. Medically termed bruxism, it is a common condition that people often realize they have. Teeth grinding can be caused by a variety of things like stress or a bad bite, and a dentist can help to address it. Dentists also provide nightguards that protect teeth during sleep, minimizing the effects of teeth grinding.

3. Biting on hard things

Biting on hard foods like hard candies or ice can leave teeth structures damaged. Teeth are protected by an outer layer called enamel and damage to it leaves the more delicate internal layers of a tooth exposed to acids in the mouth, leaving them susceptible to tooth decay. Resist the urge to consume really hard snacks.

4. Using your teeth as a tool

Teeth are for chewing and breaking down foods, not opening packages, beer bottles, or trimming your fingernails. Teeth are more likely to be damaged when used for roles they are not designed for.

5. Not using protective gear

People who engage in contact sports like wrestling or football should use protective mouthguards as recommended by any competent athletic commission. These appliances reduce the impact of blows to the face, reducing the risk of teeth being knocked out or broken due to trauma.

Take control of your dental care

Forming good habits and avoiding bad ones is the key to having an attractive, healthy smile. Call or visit our Palm Desert clinic to learn more about oral hygiene.

Request an appointment here: https://totalcareimplantdentistry.com or call Total Care Implant Dentistry at (760) 394-3088 for an appointment in our Palm Desert office.

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