Stop These Bad Habits From Compromising Your Dental Health
Most people know the basic recipe for healthy teeth: brushing, flossing, and occasional visits to the dentist. However, many people still don't realize how their daily actions affect the long-term health of their teeth. Here are some common bad habits people have that can accelerate tooth decay, increase the risk of gum disease, or cause injury to the teeth or the gums. Make sure these bad habits don't compromise your dental health.
1. Brushing only once a day.
Your dentist recommends brushing your teeth twice a day for good reason, but some people only brush once a day. The reasons why brushing twice is so important is:
- Toothpaste gives your teeth some fluoride. Fluoride actually works to repair preliminary decay, and when it does remineralize your teeth, the enamel is stronger and more resistant to decay.
- Cleaning your teeth twice a day actually keeps your teeth clean for the majority of the hours in a day. Brushing before bed cleans your teeth so they stay clean in the night. Brushing after breakfast cleans them again until lunch. So there's only a period of 4 to 6 hours each day where your teeth are exposed to food.
- Brushing removes plaque. Plaque hardens into tartar, which is what the dentist has to clean off your teeth. Plaque contains bacteria that cause cavities.
If you brush only once a day, you are more likely to see a cavity or two when you go in for your six-month exam.
2. Clenching your teeth.
Do you clench your teeth when you are concentrating, working, or exercising? Your jaw is powerful, and it is there to help you bite and break down harder foods like carrots and apples. However, when you use your jaw to clench your teeth together, you put your teeth under a lot of strain. Initially, your teeth can take it, but your gums cannot. They are delicate tissue, and as you continue to put force on them as they are "caught" between your jaw and your teeth, they will begin to recede. Receding gums increases tooth sensitive and the risk of dental decay. If your gums recede too far, you may need gum grafts to help correct the damage.
3. Snacking throughout the day.
Snacking is one of the ways to accelerate tooth decay. When you have clean teeth, the bacteria in your mouth have limited food. However, when you snack, there's some residue left behind, giving the bacteria plenty of food. The bacteria leave an acidic residue as they feed, which is what causes dental decay. Sugary drinks, sweets, and simple carbohydrates like crackers and chips are the worst for teeth. If you must snack, choose a tooth-friendly option like vegetables, nuts, or unsweetened dairy products.
4. Eating after the night-time brush.
Once you brush your teeth, do what you can to preserve that clean. Don't indulge in late-night snacks after you have brushed your teeth. Late-night snacks are the worst for teeth because you won't be drinking water or moving as much saliva over your teeth as you sleep, and both of these disrupt bacteria in the mouth. You also might have reduced moisture in your mouth if you breathe through your mouth during sleep. If you have food residue in your mouth and little moisture, bacteria can do a lot of damage in a short time. You'll notice your gums start to become sore as well because bacteria can cause gum disease.
5. Chewing on items that aren't food.
Finally, don't spend your time chewing on pen lids, pencils, nails, or packaging. These items are too tough for your teeth and can damage your enamel. They also can cause injury to soft gum tissue.
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