7 Bad Habits That Can Ruin Your Smile

Good dental hygiene is essential to maintaining oral health. Some of the bad oral habits that can damage our oral health include:

• Not brushing or flossing regularly

One of the most commonly overlooked habits that people experience forgetting to brush and floss is doing so on a regular basis. Most people know that regular brushing and flossing are necessary to protect teeth and gums from tooth decay and cavities, but not everyone actually follows the recommended process for their oral care.

Brushing and flossing are important parts of any oral health care routine because they remove food particles and plaque buildup from your teeth. Flossing helps to remove debris and food that is stuck between the teeth where toothbrushes cannot reach. Therefore, neglecting to brush and/or floss properly can result in the development of cavities and infections within the oral cavity. If left untreated, gum disease can increase the risk of tooth loss as well as systemic illnesses in the body due to inflammation caused by oral bacteria entering the bloodstream. It is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day for two minutes each time. It is also important to floss at least once per day to ensure that you are able to remove all of the debris and plaque buildup between teeth.

• Teeth grinding

If you grind your teeth at night, you may wake up with a headache or a sore jaw. Over time, this clenching action can damage the enamel of your teeth. And that damage can cause your teeth to become sensitive when you eat or drink hot and cold beverages. To prevent issues like these, talk to your dentist about using a mouthguard to protect your teeth and joints from excessive wear and tear.

• Chewing ice

Sugary and starchy foods have the potential to cause cavities, but did you know that chewing on ice can also damage your teeth? This bad habit can lead to cracks in enamel and chips on tooth surfaces. In addition, crunching ice can cause jaw pain due to the pressure from the ice and continual clenching of the jaw muscles.

• Not visiting the dentist regularly

The American Dental Association recommends patients visit their dentists at least twice a year. By doing this, we can keep your smile healthy and see problems before they escalate into more complicated issues. If you've noticed problems with your teeth or gums in between appointments, please don't hesitate to make an appointment as soon as possible!

• Nail biting

Nail biting is a bad habit that can leave your teeth stained and damaged. When you bite your nails, you're also putting your teeth at risk of being chipped or broken by damaging the enamel. Be sure to focus on proper dental health habits and avoiding bad habits. If you've damaged your teeth as a result of biting your nails, consider cosmetic dentistry to restore them. Porcelain veneers are a good option because they provide natural-looking and strong tooth restoration results.

• Smoking

It's no secret that smoking cigarettes are harmful to your health in general. Not only can it cause lung and heart problems, but it can also lead to oral cancer as well. Smoking can also cause discoloration of your teeth, bad breath, and a receding gum line, as well as increase your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. If you're a smoker, we encourage you to quit smoking as soon as possible to protect not only your overall health but also your oral health. Your dentist will also be happy to help you quit by giving you a prescribed nicotine patch and other methods to help you kick your habit for good. 

• Brushing teeth aggressively

Scrubbing and vigorously brushing your teeth can wear down your enamel. Enamel is the protective layer of our teeth, and once it's gone, our teeth become prone to cavities and sensitivity issues. Also, if your gums start receding as a result of aggressive tooth brushing, this can lead to more serious oral health issues such as periodontal disease. So make sure to brush your teeth gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush.