Bad Habits That Can Affect Oral Health

Good oral hygiene is important not only for maintaining healthy teeth and gums but also for maintaining good overall health. However, certain bad habits can affect our oral health. Here are some of them.

• Not Cleaning Your Teeth After Eating

People frequently put off brushing their teeth after eating, either because they’re in a hurry or they’re too tired. This habit may be particularly common at night when you’ve had a long day and just want to sleep. But skipping out on cleaning your teeth after a meal can lead to oral health problems – and it’s especially important to brush before bedtime to remove plaque from food particles you ate throughout the day. Plaque is bacteria that sticks to your teeth and causes cavities. When you leave this plaque on your teeth for too long, it can become even harder to get rid of. Brushing your teeth after meals can prevent this from happening.

• Using Your Teeth as Tools

Don’t use your teeth to open packages or bottles, rip tags off clothing, or bite your nails. All of these can chip and crack your teeth, leaving them vulnerable to decay. If you can’t break the habit, try using scissors instead.

If you use your teeth to bite down hard food, such as nuts, ice, or other foods that are very hard, you can damage the tooth’s enamel. Enamel is the protective outer layer of the tooth that helps keep sensitive inner layers safe from bacteria and other threats. Using a nutcracker or biting down on something soft can help avoid chipping a tooth.

• Teeth Grinding

If you grind your teeth when you sleep, talk to your dentist about which mouthguards are best for you. Wearing a night guard can protect you against cracked and broken teeth as well as jaw pain.

• Chewing Ice or Other Hard Substances

If you chew ice, you run the risk of damaging your teeth. The enamel on the surface is the strongest substance in the human body. Unfortunately, even this strong outer layer can be chipped away by hard substances like ice. 

• Brushing with Too Much Force

Aggressive brushing can lead to enamel erosion, sensitive teeth, and tooth damage over time. Instead of scrubbing your teeth hard, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and a circular motion to brush your teeth. And always end your brushing session by rinsing your mouth with water. 

Dentists of Miami and Orthodontics have expert dental professionals who provide the best dental treatments to patients with the help of the latest technologies and modern amenities. For more details and appointments, call us at (305) 290-4999, book online, or visit us at 15790 SW 56th St, Miami, FL 33185.