There is no question whether your oral health is important to you. However, you may unknowingly be participating in activities that could be detrimental to it. For your convenience, your dentist in Hancock Park provides a list of 5 troublesome habits that need to be eradicated to experience the best oral health possible. Once you discover where the potential pitfalls are, the next step is to make the necessary changes that will benefit you well into the future!
Habit #1 – Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Any way you add it up, tobacco use is detrimental to your oral health. For starters, the chemicals in these products release toxins that can contribute to oral cancer and many other serious ailments. Furthermore, they can leave unpleasant stains on your teeth. To boost your oral and overall health, all tobacco usage should be eliminated.
Habit #2 – Misuse of Teeth
If you don’t have a pocket knife handy, it may be tempting to use your teeth to pry open a package. Maybe you struggle with anxiety and tend to bite your fingernails, or you like to eat ice in the summer. Either of these habits can damage your teeth and possibly lead to a dental emergency. Therefore, such activities should be avoided.
Habit #3 – Eating Snack Items
If we had to identify the leading threat to dental health, it would have to be oral bacteria. These microorganisms feed on sugars. Therefore, when you eat processed items that have a higher sugar content, you can expect increased bacteria growth. To take the safer route, rely more on natural foods like fruits and vegetables.
Habit #4 – Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
People who grind their teeth run the risk of prematurely wearing down the enamel, which is the hard, outer part of the teeth. This is due to the unnatural pressure that is applied. If you suffer from bruxism, then don’t hesitate to bring it to your dentist’s attention so he or she can create a plan of action to correct the problem.
Habit #5 – Vigorous Toothbrushing
The old-fashioned approach to cleaning is that the more pressure you apply, the better the results will be. This can be a dangerous route to take when it comes to cleaning your teeth, as aggressive toothbrushing can wear down the enamel and leave you susceptible to tooth sensitivity.
To prevent this from happening, here are some suggestions:
- Use a softer toothbrush.
- Carefully move the toothbrush back-and-forth when cleaning your teeth.
- Angle the toothbrush 45 degrees away from your gums to prevent tooth damage and gum irritation.
For more pointers on ways to upgrade your oral health and to prevent any mishaps, contact your dentist to schedule a cleaning and checkup. The proactive efforts you put forward today will spell excellent dental health down the road!
About the Author
Dr. Benjamin Geller earned his dental degree from the University of California at San Francisco. He then went on to complete a three-year residency that included advanced training in a host of treatment modalities. Dr. Geller helps patients take their oral health to the next level at Geller Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information through his website.