Are you an adamant flosser? Do you religiously go to the dentist every six months?
Despite these great oral habits, you could be harming your smile unknowingly! There are several common habits that can actually damage the health of your teeth and gums.
It’s important to recognize and quit these habits before causing permanent damage to your smile. Here at Lake Country Dental, we strongly encourage our patients to take a critical look at their habits and consider how they may affect their dental health.
5 Common Habits That Harm Your Dental Health
Are you guilty of these habits? Some of the most common habits that can potentially harm your smile include:
Nail Biting: Many individuals bite their nails out of nervous habit and while this habit may seem harmless, it can actually cause significant damage to your smile. Biting your nails can leave you susceptible to tooth fractures and tooth enamel damage.
Chewing on Ice: In the heat of summer, you might be tempted to cool down by chewing on ice cubes. Unfortunately, this common habit actually places excess pressure on the teeth and can cause them to chip.
Using Teeth as Tools: We’re all guilty of using our teeth to open a package or rip off a tag, but most people don’t know that doing this can put your smile at risk. Although the teeth are designed to withstand pressure from biting or chewing, using them as tools can cause you to injure your jaw or crack your teeth.
Frequent Snacking: Grazing on snacks all day doesn’t just cause you to overeat, it can also harm your teeth and gums. Each time we eat, bacteria in the mouth will metabolize what we’ve consumed and create a harmful acidic substance. Frequently snacking means you put your teeth and gums through constant acid attacks.
Grinding: Bruxism, or habitually grinding or clenching the teeth, is a habit that many people succumb to when under stress. After enough time, you can eventually wear down your teeth, develop pain in your jaw or facial muscles, or cause tooth fractures.
Quit Your Bad Habits and Contact Country Lake Dental
Care for your smile by quitting harmful habits!
Another great way to invest in your smile is to seek professional dental care. If you’re in Fort Worth or surrounding areas, contact our office! We offer a variety of services to best care for your smile.