Everyone wants to have healthy teeth and gums. However, not everyone puts in extra effort to care for their pearly whites. You may think that regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups are enough. But you could be damaging your teeth without even knowing it.
Aside from brushing your teeth, you may also need to undergo a specific dental treatment such as root canal treatment in a dental clinic in Upland. But it depends on what your dentist has to say. If you want fewer dental visits and improve your dental health, make sure to avoid the following seemingly innocent habits:
Crunching on ice
Some of us like to nibble on ice, especially on a hot sunny day. People who are on a diet also tend to do this to fend off their hunger. This is actually bad for your teeth. Not only can the cold temperature damage the nerves inside your teeth; the brittleness can also cause tooth fractures.
Piercing your lips and tongue
Some people like piercing their lips and tongue to look cool and feel good. It may seem harmless, but mouth piercings can cause several dental problems. For one, they increase your risk of developing sores and lesions. Those with gum disease aggravate their condition by piercing their tongue. Lip piercings, on the other hand, can push your teeth out of its natural alignment.
Using your teeth to open packages
Some use their teeth as a tool for opening packets and lids. You could be lazy to get yourself a pair of scissors or ask for help from a friend. But using your teeth to do such a task puts an unnecessary strain on your pearly whites. You can end up with a chipped or cracked tooth.
Incorrect use of toothpicks
Toothpicks help us get rid of gunk stuck in your teeth. But misuse of this can lead to dental issues. Some use toothpicks to remove plaque in their teeth. This can ruin your enamel, which can then cause tooth decay. Excessively using a toothpick in between the gaps of your teeth can cause teeth to shift.
Overbrushing
We know that dentists tell us to brush our teeth with soft toothbrushes at least twice a day. But did you know that too much brushing can also be a problem? This term is known as tooth abrasion. Over brushing can cause teeth and gum damage. It can wear down the enamel on your teeth and cause hypersensitivity.
Rinsing your teeth after brushing them at night
Before bedtime, we make sure to brush our pearly whites. Many are guilty of rinsing their teeth right after brushing. However, you’re washing the precious thing you get from your toothpaste, which is fluoride. To maximize its effect, spit, but don’t rinse. Avoid snacking once you’re done brushing if you need to drink, stick to water instead.
If there’s one reason for you to stop the habits mentioned above, it’s that they can very well be the reason behind your extra trips to the dentist. Knowing what can harm your dental health is the best way to avoid them. Are you guilty of having any of these habits? Then now is the perfect time to stop. Don’t jeopardize the health of your pearly whites just because of these seemingly innocent habits.
