Avoid These Habits to Protect Your Oral Health

We live in a chaotic and busy world, and as a result, we all fall victim to numerous undesirable habits. Some of the bad habits you may think are harmless can significantly affect your dental health. If your teeth are broken or damaged, the resulting pain can be excruciating. Therefore, you must constantly ensure that we maintain good oral hygiene and avoid all the undesirable habits that can harm your dental health.

Here are some harmful habits that may affect your dental health:

Biting Your Fingernails 

Fingernail biting is an extremely common habit. However, this habit can be harmful to your oral health. As you go about your day, you are likely to accumulate germs on your hands. If you have a tiny wound in your mouth, putting your fingers near it could cause an infection. In addition, your fingernails can damage your gums and enamel over the long term.

Chewing or Smoking Tobacco

Despite ample research suggesting that tobacco products are harmful to your overall health, numerous individuals still use them every day. Tobacco use can not only increase the risk of tooth decay, but in some cases, can also heighten the risk of oral cancer. Tobacco has a negative impact on your dental aesthetics as well, causing teeth to appear stained and discolored.

Using Your Teeth to Open Packages

When scissors aren’t readily available, you might be tempted to use your teeth to pry open packages. Even though it may appear harmless, tearing plastic packages with your teeth can injure your gums and even break portions of your teeth.

Drinking Too Many Acidic Beverages

The occasional glass of wine or orange juice won’t harm your oral health, and in fact, there are certain health benefits of drinking these and other acidic beverages. However, overconsuming acidic drinks can weaken your enamel and speed up the process of tooth decay, harming your overall oral health.

Chewing Ice

Although chewing ice may seem harmless, it is not a healthy practice for your teeth. Chewing ice increases your risk of damaging your tooth enamel. When your enamel is weakened, your teeth are at a heightened risk of infection and decay.

Grinding Your Teeth

Some people grind their teeth when they are anxious, while others engage in teeth grinding while asleep. In either case, grinding your teeth may cause your enamel to chip and accelerate the pace at which it wears away. In this scenario, you should consult with your dental health care provider for assistance managing the condition. Your dentist may be able to recommend oral appliances to discourage teeth grinding.

Protect Your Dental Health

Now that you are aware of the bad habits that can harm your oral health, consider searching for solutions to lessen or remove them from your life. Visiting a dentist can be a great way to help you deal with any bad habits that may affect your dental health.