YOU KNOW THE RECOMMENDED ROUTINE:
– Brush your teeth twice daily
– Floss regularly
– Have your regular checkups with Comfort Dental twice a year
Even if you are following the recommended routine, there are a few less-than-desirable oral habits that may get in the way of your good habits and compromise your routine family dental care!
Tips to help you avoid these 5 damaging dental habits:
1. Crunching and Sipping
After slurping your ice cold beverage, try not to crunch down on that leftover ice. The ice cubes’ cold temperature can cause your teeth to fracture. Be careful with that popcorn too!
Sipping on sugary OR diet soft drinks through the day is also bad for your teeth. The constant exposure to the soft drink acids and sugar can lead to tooth decay. You may not realize that even those flavored waters have a high content of citric acid to enhance their flavor.
SOLUTION: Switch to crushed ice & drink your soda or flavored water through a straw! It’s best not to sip these drinks constantly through the day.
2. Using Your Teeth as “Tools”
Some people rely on their teeth for odd jobs. You might find yourself opening a tightly screwed bottle, tearing open a bag of chips, straightening a bent fork, or ripping a price tag off a new article of clothing. These actions can be quite hard on your teeth and can even cause a weakened tooth to fracture or chip.
SOLUTION: Resist the temptation – keep simple tools like scissors and pliers handy and leave the work to them!
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3. Grinding Your Teeth
Grinding your teeth wears them down and weakens them.
SOLUTION: During the day, be aware of what you’re doing with your teeth when you feel stressed or anxious. Notice if your jaw muscles are sore when you wake up or sore through the day. For those who grind at night, ask Dr. Brucken or Dr. Stubbs about custom mouth guards.
4. Using Hard-Bristled Toothbrushes
You might be surprised that firm toothbrushes are actually worse for your teeth than a soft-bristled one. A brush with bristles too firm can wear down tooth enamel more quickly, may irritate your gums and make your teeth sensitive.
SOLUTION: Stick with soft-bristles and ask one of our team members about the best type of toothbrush for your particular mouth.
5. Not Brushing or Flossing Properly
You may brush and floss every day. However, if you aren’t doing it correctly it could cause harm.
SOLUTION: Make sure you brush your teeth for at least 2 minutes TWICE a day. Be gentle. Replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months, and consider purchasing an electric one. Ask one of our team members the most effective way to floss. Use an antibacterial mouthwash.
If any of these habits apply to you, overcome them and develop a healthier oral routine!
Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions or to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you!
