Is your oral health important to you? According to the American Dental Association, 95% of adults in the U.S. believe that good oral health is an important part of overall wellbeing, and 70% brush their teeth twice a day. Despite this, research reports that every year more than 15 million root canals are performed and over 20 million teeth are extracted to treat damage or infection. Why is this? Unfortunately, you can have the best dental routine and still be hurting your teeth on a daily basis! Find out how as your dentist outlines which bad habits to avoid for the sake of your oral health.
Brushing Too Hard
If you’re brushing your teeth with too much force, you might be doing more harm than good. The hard shell of enamel protecting your teeth can be worn down with overly aggressive brushing or stiff bristles on a toothbrush. As the enamel is scrubbed away, your teeth become more sensitive and susceptible to breaking. At your regular dental checkup, your dentist will search for weakened teeth and help you correct any bad brushing habits that are damaging them.
Grinding Your Teeth
Did you know that how you manage your stress has a huge impact on your oral health? If you’re tense throughout the day, you may clench your jaw and grind your teeth at night. This is a condition called bruxism, which wears down your enamel and raises your risk of cracked or chipped teeth. Since this generally only happens while you’re asleep, you should see your dentist for a diagnosis. Thankfully, bruxism and the damage it causes can be mitigated with the help of a simple nightguard.
Using Teeth as Tools
One of the most widely shared bad oral health habits is using teeth as tools. Although it may seem convenient at the time, using your teeth for things like tearing off clothing tags, ripping open a bag of chips, or prying open a bottle, puts your teeth in danger. Remember, your teeth are only designed to tear and rip food! Prevent your teeth from breaking by using the proper tools instead.
Chewing on Hard Objects
Another very common issue for the health of your teeth is something that many people do unconsciously. Whether you’re anxious, thoughtful, or bored, chewing on hard objects is bad news for your teeth. This includes ice, pencils and pen caps, which can easily apply too much pressure to your teeth and cause them to chip or fracture. If you chew on your fingernails, you could also be exposing your mouth to extra bacteria, which could cause an infection or make you sick.
Even though our teeth are strong, it’s important that we do everything we can to protect them. With the right habits and a great dental routine, your smile can stay healthy and happy for years to come.
About the Practice
The Dental Partners of Newburyport have been serving their community with excellent dental care for more than a decade. We are proud to feature the talents of our highly trained dentists Dr. E. Charles Beliveau and Dr. J. Peter St. Clair, who offer a variety of advanced dental services and techniques. They strongly believe in the value of patient education and are happy to create personalized treatments for optimal oral health at every dental checkup. To learn more, they can be contacted at their website or (978) 465-5358.