A few habits you very well know cause damage to teeth: munching on candies now and then, skipping the toothbrush and missing dental appointments. What you don’t know is that there are a few other routines, which look harmless, but actually hurt your oral health. In fact, they appear so simple that you do them every day. Beware of these habits and make it a priority to quit on them.
1. Clenching Teeth
You may not be too aware that you do this because it often happens during sleep. But if you do experience sore jaws and headaches in the morning, you might have this teeth-clenching habit. Why is this harmful to oral health? The repetitive behaviour of gnashing teeth can eat away the enamel, which is the protective layer of the teeth. It can also cause receding gums, loosening teeth and frequent jaw pains.
There are lots of factors that contribute to this problem. The first one is stress. It’s sort of a coping mechanism. Doctors recommend doing stress-relieving techniques before bedtime, as well as wearing a mouth guard to prevent the habit. Another culprit behind teeth clenching is misalignment of teeth and jaw. So, crooked teeth aren’t just a cosmetic problem. It’s a serious issue that merits a visit to a dental clinic in Townsville for orthodontics appliances, such as braces, retainers and Invisalign.
2. Crunching Ice
For some reason, some people just find this habit enjoyable. But this is very dangerous to your teeth. For one, it exposes your pearly whites to extreme temperatures, which over time changes the structure of the enamel. This results in sensitivity and pain as well as a greater risk for tooth decays.
Depending on the severity of your condition, a dentist may recommend placing a filling or a crown, or a root canal treatment. Some people crave eating ice because of pregnancy or underlying health problems. If this is your case, ask your doctor how you can control the cravings. If you just find chewing ice enjoyable, then perhaps it’s time to find other sources of ‘fun’.
3. Cleaning Teeth
Believe it or not, brushing your teeth can damage your teeth. That is if you brush too aggressively. Like the mentioned habits, the enamel would wear away over time. It could hurt your gums, too, causing it to bleed and become sore. Remember that you don’t have to scrub hard to get rid of food debris in the mouth. Gentle strokes are good enough. Just make sure to brush all areas, the outer, the inner, and the chewing surfaces of the teeth.
Another way you may be cleaning your teeth wrong and damaging it in the process is when you brush too soon after eating. Food that has high acid content weakens the enamel. Brushing would just make the state of the teeth worse, so wait for at least half an before brushing your teeth.
It’s not enough to quit the habits of binging on candies and skipping the brushing of teeth. Even the ‘harmless’ can damage your oral health. Kick the mentioned habits to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
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