Habits that Ruin Your Teeth

Since the first thing people notice about you is your smile, you’ll want to treat your teeth right. However, too many people do certain things they didn’t know could wreak havoc on their pearly whites. We’ve put together a list of habits that the best dentist in Boca Raton says you should stop doing if you want to keep your teeth and gums healthy. 

Habits That Wreck Your Teeth  

Brushing Too Hard

While most people brush their teeth twice a day, countless commit brushing blunders that compromise the quality of their teeth and irritate their gums. Some of the worst mistakes include using a hard-bristled toothbrush and brushing too hard in a back-and-forth horizontal motion. Instead of removing more plaque, these habits wear down the tooth enamel and cause gum recession.  

Dental professionals recommend using an ADA-approved, soft-bristled toothbrush for cleaning teeth and saving the stiff, coarse-bristled toothbrush for cleaning the grout in the bathroom tile. They also suggest brushing at the proper pressure, like you’re giving your teeth and gums a good massage instead of a good scrub.  

Grazing All Day

Snacking too frequently leaves food particles between your teeth for hours longer because snacking causes your salivary glands to produce a lesser amount of saliva than they do during a meal. For this reason, grazing all day increases your likelihood of getting tooth decay and cavities. Snacking on sugary foods and drinks will only make matters worse.

Eating balanced meals allows you to feel fuller longer. If you’re craving a snack, be sure it’s low in sugar and fat. While indulging in the occasional sugary treat is acceptable, be sure to wash away leftover food by following it with a glass of water.

Using Your Teeth as a Tool

Did you know that the tips of teeth are the quickest to wear because they’re the thinnest? It doesn’t matter if you think your teeth are sharp enough to tear through a bag of chips or strong enough to pry off a metal bottle cap. Using teeth as an all-purpose opener puts you at a higher risk of chipping or cracking your teeth. You may even injure your jaw or swallow something you shouldn’t.

Your teeth were made for chewing and grinding food. For this reason, they shouldn’t stand in as a pair of scissors or a bottle opener. Do yourself a favor by keeping both items handy or asking someone to give you a hand.

Nail-Biting

Onychophagia, or nail-biting, is a body-focused repetitive behavior that can range from being occasionally benign to deeply ingrained and self-mutilative. In most cases, nail-biting turns into a go-to behavior for someone who tries to find temporary relief from boredom, frustration, loneliness, anxiety, stress, or tension.  

The nervous habit of biting your fingernails increases your chances of chipping your teeth and experiencing dental resorption. Additionally, placing your jaw in a protruding position for extended periods puts pressure on it, leading to jaw dysfunction.  

If you’re looking to quit the habit of nail-biting, it’s best to hold something to keep your fingers busy when you’re feeling triggered. You can also try using bitter-tasting nail polishes or stress-reduction techniques such as guided meditation and deep breathing exercises.

Ignoring Signs of Bruxism

Bruxism is an involuntary habit of clenching and grinding teeth, typically during sleep. You’re probably a tooth grinder or clencher if you wake up with headaches or pain in front of the ear. If left untreated, bruxism can lead to significant enamel erosion.

Wearing a nighttime mouth guard can protect your teeth from all that gnashing while you sleep. Moreover, his oral appliance prevents muscle soreness and promotes better sleep.

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