Many think that good oral hygiene simply means brushing your teeth multiple times a day. But it’s so much more than that.
Good oral hygiene also requires building the right dental habits and breaking the bad ones.
If you want your teeth to remain strong and healthy when you’re old, then you need to make sure that you avoid habits that could be damaging your teeth now.
Here are common bad habits you should avoid:
1. Biting Your Nails
Not only does biting your nails make them look unpleasant, but it can also damage your teeth. If you’re not careful, it can chip your teeth and wear it out over time.
In some cases, it can even misalign your teeth. And once your teeth are damaged or misaligned, they become more prone to bacteria and plaque build-up.
2. Ignoring Flossing
We all know that we should be flossing our teeth regularly, but many of us still don’t do it. If you’re still on the side of people who never floss, it’s time to jump ship.
Flossing can prevent and remove plaque in parts of your teeth that a toothbrush simply can’t reach. If you don’t floss regularly, the plaque in those unreachable areas could develop into cavities.
3. Not Going To The Dentist Regularly
If you don’t visit your dentist regularly, any plaque build-up or issues with your teeth or gums will get worse over time.
Avoiding your dentist might save you time and money now, but you could end up paying much more later if it causes damage to your teeth and gums. By visiting your dentist regularly, your dentist can remove any plaque build-up immediately and treat issues before it gets worse.
We recommend visiting your dentist every six months, or at least once every year.
4. Using Worn Toothbrushes
Many of us only replace our toothbrushes when its bristles have frayed significantly. But at that point, it’s clear that you should have replaced your toothbrush a long time ago.
We recommend replacing your toothbrush every three to four months, depending on how much and how hard you brush your teeth. That’s because frayed bristles will not clean your teeth as thoroughly as it once did.
If you find yourself using a toothbrush with badly frayed bristles for weeks (or worse, months), make sure to change it immediately.
5. Chewing On Ice, Hard Candy, Etc.
Our teeth may be incredibly tough, but they do have their limits. If you have the habit of chewing on ice, hard candy, or any hard food, then you need to be more careful and avoid doing that.
Chewing on hard materials can damage the enamel of your teeth, not to mention increase your chances of chipping or cracking it.
6. Brushing Too Hard
There is such a thing as brushing too much or too hard. Our teeth may be strong and tough, but our gums are much more fragile.
If you brush your teeth too hard (or use a toothbrush with bristles that are too stiff), you could damage your gums and wear out the parts at the top of your teeth.
If this happens, your gums will recede, and they won’t grow back. This will then expose your teeth to plaque and bacteria.
7. Constantly Clenching Or Grinding Your Teeth
Constantly clenching or grinding your teeth puts unnecessary pressure that could lead to a variety of dental issues.
This includes the breakdown of your teeth’s enamel, which causes your teeth to wear down faster than it should. In severe cases, the constant pressure can even crack your teeth or cause misalignments.
If you tend to clench or grind your teeth, be more mindful of it and try to avoid it as much as possible. And if you’re prone to grinding your teeth while sleeping, ask your dentist about getting special mouthguards for night use to protect them.
Need More Dental Advice?
Check out our blog for more helpful tips on keeping your teeth strong and healthy. You’re also more than welcome to visit our clinic for a chat with one of our friendly dentists. You can book an appointment online to schedule a consultation with Redlands Gentle Dental today.
