While brushing and flossing are important for maintaining your oral health, there are other habits that can make or break the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Here are some dental habits to change ASAP to maximize your oral health.
Utilizing Your Teeth as Tools
It may seem harmless using your teeth to remove a price tag or open a bottle, but these activities are extremely unhealthy for your teeth. Using your teeth as tools can weaken your teeth, eventually causing them to chip or even fracture.
Crunching on Ice or Hard Foods
Crunching ice or popcorn kernels may be satisfying, but these hard items can crack your enamel, making you more susceptible to tooth decay, chipping, or fractures.
Choosing Sugary Drinks
Sweet drinks coat your teeth in sugar, creating an environment that bacteria and tooth decay love. If you must have a sweet beverage, opt for a straw to minimize your teeth’s exposure to the sugar. Try to drink the beverage over a short period, rather than sipping on it for hours, to further minimize your teeth’s exposure to the sugar. When you’re done, rinse your mouth with water.
Grinding Your Teeth
Even though most people unconsciously grind their teeth, over time, teeth grinding wears your teeth down. It’s important to fix the issue causing you to grind your teeth. Many people benefit from using a mouthguard at night that prevents teeth grinding, while others require orthodontic treatment to realign their jaw.
Using a Toothbrush That’s Too Firm
A firmer toothbrush won’t do a better job of cleaning your teeth. In fact, a toothbrush that’s too firm can cause several oral health problems, including gum recession, enamel damage, and increased tooth sensitivity.
Make sure to replace your toothbrush every three to four months.
Forgoing Habits That Encourage Optimal Dental Hygiene
Check that you brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss at least once per day. This removes food particles and bacteria that can cause tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath.
Schedule a dental cleaning and examination every six months or as recommended by your dentist. Some individuals with gum disease or a high likelihood of tooth decay may benefit from more frequent visits.
Schedule Your Dental Examination
Pacific Dental Care, serving the surrounding areas of Glendale and Burbank, offers a variety of services to help you maintain a high level of oral health. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.