Kick the Habit, Enhance Your Smile: Bad Habits to Avoid
Part of good dentistry is knowing what you should and shouldn't do, which is why we take preventative care seriously at Bell Dental. By combining prevention with general and advanced services, we have established ourselves as one of the leading cosmetic and restorative dentistry practices serving Lake Jackson.
With do's and don't in mind, let's look at some bad dental habits you should reconsider.
Smoking and Tobacco Products
Smoking leads to a lot of problems that affect your general wellness, including lung disease and heart disease. Tobacco products can also cause tooth discoloration, gum disease, tooth loss, and increased risk of oral cancers. This is just one more reason to quit.
Not Brushing Your Teeth Enough
People should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day. “Should” doesn't always mean that it happens, though. If you don't brush your teeth regularly, the food particles and plaque will lead to serious tooth decay.
Not Floss Your Teeth Enough
People often neglect to floss their teeth, which is something just as important as brushing. If you don't floss, you're more likely to experience tooth decay and gum disease. Take these matters seriously and be sure to floss at least once a night.
Biting Your Fingernails
Biting your nails when you're nervous isn't just a social no-no. It can also lead to tooth structure damage and weakened teeth. Ditch this bad habit to keep your smile healthy and to avoid awkward social situations.
Chewing on Drinking Straws and Pen Caps
Old habits can die hard, especially when it comes to nibbling pens, pencils, pen caps, or drinking straws. As you may have guessed, this can all increase risk of tooth damage, so it's best to avoid doing this whenever possible.
Chomping on Ice Cubes
It's a nervous tick than many of us have, and it can feel kind of comforting on a hot summer day. Yet chewing on ice can also lead to tooth damage over time. Spare those molars and avoid chomping on that ice.
Using Your Teeth to Open Bags and Packaging
We've all done it. Sometimes you want to open a bag of chips or a Blur-ray package but you don't have scissors handy, so you use your teeth. This can lead to chips, cracks, and weakening tooth structure over time. If there's a job that calls for scissors, be sure to use scissors.
Snacking on Sugary Junk Food
Your parents were right: all that sugar will rot your teeth out. Candy and sugary junk food makes tooth decay more likely, so consider healthy alternatives and cutting back on all that extra sugar.
Drinking Too Much Soda and Fruit Juice
Soft drinks and sugary drinks can increase your risk of tooth decay as well as the acidic erosion of tooth enamel. Try to limit your consumption of sodas, sports drinks, and fruit juices, and simply stay hydrated with water.
Sucking Your Thumb
Thumb-sucking in children can alter the shape of the palate and lead to problems with dental alignment. If you have a child who sucks their thumb a lot, be sure to consult with a dentist or general practitioner to find out how to stop this behavior from recurring.
Contact the Team at Bell Dental
To learn more about improving your dental health by avoiding bad habits, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice today. The team at Bell Dental is here to help you smile with renewed confidence.
