Maintaining dental health is crucial for overall well-being. There are many things we can do to safeguard our dental health like brushing, flossing and regular dental checkups, however habits have a particularly negative impact on the teeth and oral health. Here are some common habits and tooth-friendly tips on how we can reduce its impact on the oral cavity.
Bruxism is clenching or grinding your teeth in the day or night, often unconsciously during sleeping or in stress. This leads to wearing down of teeth, loss of teeth, jaw pain, head aches etc. if you feel you suffer from bruxism, it is highly recommended you visit your dentist to get some treatment to alleviate the symptoms.
Biting down on hard objects like pens and pencils, chewing on ice, pen cap or using your teeth as tools wears the enamel off the teeth making teeth more prone to chipping, breaking and cracking. It’s recommended to consciously make an effort to channel these habits towards an alternative stress relieving ways.
Unhealthy diet, eating sugary food or having acidic or caffeinated drinks can impact the oral cavity significantly. Not only do these habits cause damage to the tooth surface causing cavities but also effect the gum health leading to tooth loosening and bad breath. Eating a balanced mean and reducing sugar intake is key, additionally its always recommended to have rinse your mouth with water post meals and drinks so no plaque film is formed on the teeth.
Smoking and tobacco use inany form of tobacco and non-tobacco vapes all have a detrimental effect on the entire body. In the mouth, gum disease, staining of teeth, bad breath and cancer. The best thing to do is entirely quit the use of these products.
For those who love sports and play it without a mouthguard, this habit could cost you as you risk an injury to your jaw. Protect your smile with a mouthguard. You can purchase a self-fitting model that conforms to your biteor talk to your dentist about a custom-made mouth guard.
Not maintain a healthy oral care routine is also a bad habit. While most people do brush their teeth its only once day instead of two and seldom accompanied by flossing and tongue cleaning. To avoid damage to the teeth its important to brush your teeth with a soft bristle brush and not scrub hard. Using your tooth brush at a 45-degree angle from your gum towards the edge of your tooth is the best way to clean the debris at the tooth and gum line.
Remember, preventive measures and breaking harmful habits are key to safe guard your oral cavity. Consistent oral hygiene routine and making conscious choices can help minimize the risk of bad habits and maintain a healthy smile.