Can we talk about bad dental habits? The truth is, almost everyone does one (or more) of these things, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try to correct the behavior. After all, you only get one set of permanent teeth! We want them to last as long as possible, and of course, we don’t want you to be in pain.
So what are the most common “bad dental habits” we see here at Sugar Fix Dental Loft? We’re glad you asked! 😉
Smoking
Obviously. Please stop smoking. ASAP. We’re also including vaping and using smokeless tobacco in this category. All of it is bad for your teeth and your overall health. If you think you need help, talk to your primary care physician and they can help you find some options that will help you kick the habit once and for all. Wouldn’t that feel great?!
Grinding Your Teeth
We recently wrote a blog post about what stress is doing to our teeth. If you didn’t get a chance to read it, the Sparknotes version is that we’re more stressed than ever and it’s causing us to grind our teeth at night. This leads to cracks, broken teeth, sensitivity, and more. No good!
So, how does one stop grinding their teeth while they’re sleeping? Obviously, we encourage you to try to eliminate the stressors in your life or find an effective way to deal with it, but we know that’s easier said than done. Many times, a protective mouthguard is the best course of action. It protects your teeth from any damage being done by nighttime teeth grinding.
Biting Things That Are Not Food
This is a broad topic, but if you bite your fingernails, pen caps, straws, ice… you get the idea. This habit can cause your teeth to wear down teeth, making them more susceptible to both damage and decay. If you feel like you’re doing this because of anxiety or boredom, try keeping some sugarless gum nearby so you can chew on that instead!
Along with this, using your teeth to open packages or remove tags from clothing is a big no-no. Just because nothing happened the last time you did it doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Just one mistake can cost you your smile, so why risk it?
Brushing Too Hard
If brushing is good for your teeth, then brushing vigorously must be really good, right? Nope. Still, lots of people believe this to be true. You want to use a brush with softer bristles and use a gentle, circular motion to brush your teeth and gums. Brushing too hard can not only cause bleeding gums, but they can even lead to gum recession.
If you aren’t sure whether you’re brushing too hard, take a look at your brush bristles. If they’re splayed out in all directions, you probably are. Try using a gentler hand and/or a softer brush. Your gums will thank you!
Gummy Candy and Potato Chips
Too much candy or too many snacks is something we should all be watching, not only for our teeth but also our waistline! However, some snacks are worse than others for our smiles. Gummy candy, of course, is one of them. It gets stuck in your teeth and the sugars use that time to wear down your enamel, leading to cavities.
Potato chips do the same thing! We don’t think of them as a “bad” food because they’re not sugary, but if you have plaque on your teeth (and most of us do) you need to be careful. The bacteria in plaque break down starches the same way as sugar, turning it into an acid that can eat away at your enamel. Brush well after enjoying either of these two snacks.
Sugar Fix Dental Loft is a boutique Lakeview dental practice that specializes in a full array of dental services using the latest technology! Give us a call at (773) 883-1818 or you can set up an appointment online via our website!