Sometimes, you can brush and floss regularly, get routine dental cleanings, and somehow, there are still problems with your oral health.
You oral surgeon may point out problems like your teeth being discolored, enamel wearing away, or gums showing signs of swelling.
You’re doing every step of dental hygiene the right way – so what’s wrong?
A bad habit has the potential to damage your oral health. While it’s difficult to kick a bad habit, once you modify your behaviors, your oral and thus general physical health will benefit immediate and for the long-run.
Are you ready to quit smoking?
Quitting smoking is easier said than done. This is a habit that is usually started as a casual vice and then spirals into a nagging habit. Your doctor can offer some tips, but while you work on quitting, be extra aware of oral hygiene. Frequent professional dental cleanings and oral cancer examinations can help warn you of dangerous health changes.
We all know smoking causes discoloring of the teeth. But why, beyond cosmetics, is smoking and tobacco use so destructive to oral health?
Smoking can heighten your risk of many types of cancer, such as throat and oral cancer. Additionally, smoking increases the likelihood of gum disease and tooth loss.
Your teeth are not tools – we’ve evolved!
When you use your teeth as scissors or a bottle opener, you weaken and risk breaking them. Yes, they’re strong, but not that strong! Behavior like excessive nail biting and tearing off tags from clothing destroys protective enamel. This accelerates their potential to decay.
If you’re prone to animalistic toothy tendencies, consider carrying a little swiss-army tool with you. Taking the extra time use your hands and use tools could save your mouth in the future.
Quit the Ice Crunch
Chewing on ice – it’s just another way to drink water, right?
Cold temperatures wear down tooth enamel. The cold and shock from the ice causes fillings to contract, thus becoming more fragile.
Crushed ice is less harmful to the teeth than large cubes, but even this can still lead to dental issues. Instead, try reaching for sugarless gum when you feel the urge to munch on something.
Stop Biting!
So what you can see from this list is incessant chewing and gnawing is generally bad for your mouth. Biting in your nails and pens is also damaging for your enamel and gums. Even using a hard-bristled brush, or brushing too aggressively, can harm your gums.
Got questions on your oral health? Need help stopping a bad habit? Call Dr. Mark Reichman, Vancouver CA, today.
