Dental Care & Protection: Bad Habits That Lead to Bad Teeth

Dental Care and Protection

All of us have taken a trip to the dentist at some point in our lives, where we learned what to do and what not to do, when it comes to the dental care and protection of our teeth. However, due to some other internal or external factors, we can unconsciously pick up some bad dental habits. Bad habits lead to bad teeth, and can be the cause of big problems to our pearly whites, as well as frequent visits to the dentist’s office. Here are some solutions to a number of bad habits that can have a bad effect on your teeth.

Brushing Hard

Brushing after every meal is recommended by all dental care experts, in order to have healthy white teeth. However, if you frequently use hard brush strokes it can lead to damaged and bloody gums. Instead of scrubbing with force, gently sweep your teeth. Additionally, a new toothbrush can be the problem, as they tend to have harder bristles. Before you start using it on your teeth and gums, make sure to soften your toothbrush, so you don’t hurt your teeth and gums.

Snacking and Binge-Eating

Constant snacking or, in extreme coping mechanisms, binge-eating disorder can also harm your teeth. This possible danger to your teeth is especially apparent if you snack on sugary or crunchy foods. People who consume sweets in large amounts have a higher risk of having cavities and tooth-decay. Leftover food trapped in and around your teeth spurs the growth of cavity-inducing bacteria which produce acids that wear out the enamel (outer layer) of your teeth. To resolve this bad habit start eating balanced meals, and wash the leftover food with a couple glasses of water, floss, or brush your teeth after every meal.

Nail Biting

This habit is triggered by nervousness and stress. People tend to bite their nails unconsciously when they find themselves in stress-inducing situations, which can over time thin the teeth, make them fragile and prone to chipping. Additionally, sticking your jaw out, which is the usual position when nibbling, for long periods can lead to jaw dysfunction issues. A good solution in tackling this problem is clear bitter-tasting nail polish. A psychological approach involves reducing your overall stress level (the trigger) and conscious refusal, or by holding something else, which shifts your attention away from your nails, but relieves you of anxiety.

Teeth Grinding

Another nervous habit that orthodontists warn us about is teeth grinding. Grinding and clenching wears out the crown of your tooth (top part) and the protective tooth enamel. This can lead to chipping and cracking of teeth, exposing the tender sensory nerves within your teeth. A good solution in tackling this bad habit is to use relaxation exercises, meditation or yoga to reduce stress. Additionally, if you also have angled teeth you can put in quality adult braces to straighten and protect your teeth.

Using Teeth as Tools

Due to the strength of your jaw and tooth sharpness, you might have been inclined to use your teeth as tools. People often don’t view this as a bad habit, when they use teeth to open plastic bottles, hold things, or as a stand-in for scissors, but this can lead to cracking. In addition, it can also cause injuries to your jaw bones and muscles. To kick this habit don’t be in a rush to do something, and instead of your teeth, use your hands and your mind to tackle the problem.

Smoking and Tobacco Chewing

Although smoking is a hard-to-quit habit, it has severe consequences on your body, and is the major cause of respiratory cancer, heart disease and cancer, emphysema and oral cancer. Smoking and tobacco chewing also has an immediate bad effect on your teeth. If you are a smoker you might have noticed your teeth becoming darker, which is causing rapid tooth decay, to an extent that it can lead to your teeth falling out. Tobacco chewing, on the other hand, can lead to the rotting of gums, while both habits slow your mouth’s natural ability to heal itself. Of course, it is hard to quit smoking, but having a healthy set of teeth is yet another reason to, at least, try.

While some are worse than others, these bad habits all have a bad effect on your dental care health. If you can relate to one, or some of them, acknowledge your habit and start kicking it out of your life – today.

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