5 Oral Habits That Could Be Destroying Your Teeth

Do you chew ice or snack on potato chips every day? While these seem like small, harmless quirks, they can actually have detrimental impacts on your oral health over time. In order to protect your gums and teeth, it’s important to learn what these habits are doing to them. You can do that by visiting your dentist in Joseph for your semi-annual checkups and cleanings. Save your natural teeth now so you can enjoy them when you’re older! Without further ado, here are the 5 oral habits you’ll want to break as soon as possible so your mouth stays healthy and happy.

Tobacco Use

Smoking and chewing tobacco products, including vaping, aren’t just bad for your teeth, but also your overall health. It can cause your mouth to become dry and accumulate harmful, cavity-causing bacteria and cause severe discoloration over time. While kicking this habit is notoriously difficult, consulting your medical professional for recommendations is the best place to start!

Grinding and Clenching Your Teeth

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can be caused by several factors, such as bite problems or extreme stress. Just because you lay your head on your pillow at night to go to sleep doesn’t mean that all your worries and anxieties built up throughout the day disappear. Instead, they’ll manifest into bad habits like grinding your teeth together while you’re sleeping. This can wear them down and make them vulnerable to common oral health problems like decay and infection.

Using Your Teeth to Bite Into Objects That Aren’t Food

Everyone has probably used their teeth to rip a piece of tape off a roll, tear open a long-awaited package that came in the mail, or nervously bite their nails before an important interview. If you’re doing this often, it can cause unnecessary wear-and-tear on your teeth and slowly destroy the enamel that protects them. Instead, take the extra time to grab a pair of scissors, or if it’s out of habit or boredom, try keeping a pack of sugar-free gum on you instead.

Brushing Aggressively

Do you brush your teeth so hard that your toothbrush bristles get frayed after only a month of use? While it seems like you’re thoroughly cleaning them, you’re actually causing your teeth more harm than good. Get a soft-bristled brush and with an even and gentle pressure, brush your teeth and gums. Too much force can lead to bleeding and even gum recession, exposing the roots of your teeth. This is dangerous and can eventually result in tooth loss if it’s not corrected.

Eating Excessive Amounts of Snacks High in Sugars and Carbs

Most pre-packaged snacks that are delicious are high in sugars and carbs, which unfortunately makes them terrible for your mouth. Instead of eating these cavity-causing treats every day, try to substitute cut vegetables and water as a snack every few days. This way, you’re not constantly exposing your mouth to products that cause oral health problems.

The best way to avoid developing common issues is to brush twice each day and floss at least once. This can prevent bacteria build up. Additionally, don’t forget to schedule a visit with your dentist in Joseph every six months. They can alert you to how your bad oral habits are impacting the health of your mouth.

About the Author

Dr. Tyler Schaffeld is passionate about dentistry because it combines his loves for art, engineering, and biology. He focuses on establishing long-lasting relationships with his patients so he can provide them with the treatments that are best for their health. At his practice, he emphasizes preventive care to save his patients time, hassle, and money in the long run. For questions or to schedule a checkup and cleaning, visit his website or call 541-426-3783.