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Good oral health requires regular brushing, flossing, and visits to the dentist. However, there are many bad habits that can negatively impact our oral health. Listed below are a few bad habits that can wreak havoc on our teeth and gums.

• Nail Biting

Nail-biting is a nervous habit that can cause damage to your smile and increase your risk of gum disease. This is because when patients bite their nails, they can damage the soft tissue in their gums or chip their teeth. This can also cause them to have chronic tooth sensitivity, pain, and even gum recession. If you notice that you’ve been biting your nails frequently, talk to your dentist about what you can do to help break this habit. They may recommend behavioral therapy to help you kick your bad habit once and for all!

• Smoking

While smoking is harmful to your whole body, it presents a unique risk to your oral and overall health. Not only does the habit stain your teeth, but it can also cause certain oral cancers, gum disease, tooth loss, and even tongue cancer. Smoking also affects your body’s ability to heal and fight infections in the mouth because it is constantly suppressing your immune system. Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your oral health! Talk to our team about ways to quit and what products can help you kick the habit, such as nicotine patches or prescription treatments. 

• Brushing Teeth Aggressively

When brushing your teeth, you don’t need to scrub them too hard or use more force than necessary to clean them. Brushing your teeth vigorously can damage the enamel of your teeth and can cause receding gums and, eventually, tooth loss. Your toothbrush isn’t designed to damage your teeth and gums, so stick to gentle but thorough strokes when brushing.

Things You Can Do To Prevent Brushing Too Hard On Your Teeth

1. Use a soft-bristled brush to protect your gums from irritation and abrasions.
2. Change your toothbrush every two to three months to ensure you’re cleaning your teeth well.
3. Consider investing in an electric or sonic toothbrush if you want to reduce over-brushing.
4. Only brush your teeth for two minutes at a time. Longer than that, and you can cause harm to the enamel on your teeth and get them too sensitive.
5. Spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing and rinse your mouth with water to ensure that no residue is left behind that can harm your enamel.

• Teeth Grinding

While some people clench or grind their teeth when stressed, this can lead to serious tooth damage over time. When teeth are ground down, it puts pressure on the bone and can cause teeth to loosen or even fall out. Some people also experience jaw pain or headaches as a result of grinding. If this is happening to you, it’s important to see your dentist right away for treatment options. You don’t have to live with pain caused by grinding your teeth. Your dentist may recommend you wear a nightguard, which fits over your teeth while you sleep and prevents them from coming into contact with each other. You might also need to undergo dental treatments to repair chips or broken teeth.

• Using Teeth As Tools

Using your teeth as tools by chewing on pens or pencils, ripping open packaging with your teeth, or even tearing off clothing tags can chip, crack, break, damage, or even completely break a tooth! Biting your nails can damage your front teeth as well. All of these bad habits can lead to tooth sensitivity, pain, and tooth loss. So, stop these habits and use appropriate tools instead.

• Not Visiting The Dentist Regularly

Studies have shown that people who don’t visit the dentist regularly have poorer oral health than those who do. This is due to the fact that they can develop tooth decay and gum disease that can become worse over time without any treatments. Since many people don’t visit the dentist as often as they should, they may be more susceptible to oral diseases. This is why scheduling regular appointments are essential if you want to keep your mouth healthy and free of any problems.

To find out more about the dental services offered at Solace Dental, call (630) 759-3595 or schedule an online consultation. You can also visit us at 287 N Weber Rd, Bolingbrook, IL, 60490.