Ditch These Habits for a Healthier Smile

People have good habits and bad habits. For a healthy body, its’ important that the good habits outweigh the bad. When it comes to your dental health, you may not realize that some of your habits are causing harm. Here are some common oral habits that can be destructive to your smile:

Ice Chomping/ Nail Biting: Men and women of all ages can be found chomping ice after they finish their drink or biting their nails during times of stress. It is likely an oral habit you do without even thinking about it. For the sake of your smile health, however, you need to put a stop to it. Frequent ice chewing and nail biting can lead to worn down teeth and tooth fractures. The enamel of your teeth is a remarkably strong substance, but it’s not intended to withstand this amount of pressure.

Teeth Clenching/ Grinding: Just as harmful is the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism) for extended periods of time. It is most common to engage in teeth grinding during nighttime sleep. A simple custom mouthguard can protect your teeth from this harmful habit, as you may not be able to consciously stop your grinding or clenching during sleep. Bruxism is known for its connection to premature tooth wear and jaw problems (TMJ/TMD).

Sipping the Wrong Drink: If your go-to beverage contains high amounts of sugar or acids (or both), you need to reconsider your drink or at least modify the way you consume it. Energy drinks, sports drinks and fruit juices may sound good for your body, but they can wreak havoc on your pearly whites through enamel erosion. The wrong drink can lead to staining, cavities, sensitivity and other dental issues. If you simply can’t turn down your favorite drink, try to consume it with a straw or drink it all at once instead of sipping on it throughout the day.

Smoking: Last but not least, kick your smoking habit if you want to retain a fresh, white and healthy smile. When you light up, there’s more to think about than bad breath and yellow teeth. The nicotine in cigarettes is a vasoconstrictor, which means it restricts proper blood flow to your gums and teeth. You may find it difficult to heal from an oral infection, and the signs of gum disease can often be masked.

Is there a habit you need to ditch for the sake of your oral health? We will be glad to help you at Dental Care Acworth. In fact, that’s our job! Make your appointment today – we can treat every member of your family in a comfortable, clean and safe office environment.