Bad Habits to Avoid If You Want Healthy Teeth and Gums

If you're looking for ways to maintain healthy teeth and gums, then you've come to the right place! In this post, we'll be discussing a few bad habits that could be damaging your oral health without you even realizing it. From what you eat and drink to how often you brush your teeth, these habits can greatly impact the state of your mouth. Keep reading to find out what they are and how you can make positive changes for a healthier smile!

1. Skipping Brushing, and Flossing

One of the most common bad habits is not brushing or flossing your teeth regularly. When you skip these important steps, plaque builds up on your teeth, which can lead to cavities, gum disease, and even tooth loss.

2. Using Your Teeth as Tools

Using your teeth to open packaging or bite down on hard objects like pens or ice cubes is a big no-no! This habit can cause chips, cracks, or even breakage in your teeth.

3. Grinding and Clenching Your Teeth

If you suffer from stress or anxiety, grinding or clenching your teeth may be something you do unconsciously. This habit puts pressure on your jaw muscles and wears down enamel, causing sensitivity issues.

4. Smoking Cigarettes

Apart from being harmful to overall health, smoking cigarettes also has severe consequences for oral health, such as bad breath, stained yellow-brownish discolored teeth, and weakened gums leading to tooth loss.

5. Drinking Sugary Drinks Regularly

Consuming sugary drinks frequently promotes the formation of acids that harm the enamel present in our mouth, leading to decayed cavities.

6. Toothbrush Hardness/Forceful Brushing

Using a hard brush to scrub forcefully over time leads to the wearing away of protective layers compromising the dental structure and making it susceptible to bacteria build-up.

7. Ignoring Dental Checkups

Not seeing a dentist regularly means missing out on professional cleanings, preventive care, diagnostic evaluations & timely treatments at early stages before they turn into severe cases.

8. Diet High In Carbohydrates

A diet high in carbohydrates might please one's taste buds, but it starves one's body of other essential nutrients required by our body, including calcium phosphate, which helps strengthen bones, including those forming our jaws, preventing erosion and decay.

Maintaining healthy teeth and gums should be a top priority for everyone. By avoiding bad habits such as smoking, consuming too much sugar, neglecting regular dental checkups, grinding your teeth, chewing on ice or hard candy, and using your teeth to open things, you can help prevent serious dental problems.

Additionally, practicing good oral hygiene habits like brushing twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and flossing daily can go a long way in promoting healthy teeth and gums. So don't wait until it's too late - start taking care of your oral health today!

Our staff at Woodruff Family Dental is available to assist you and your entire family in taking care of your oral health. Call (870) 972-8190 to schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Come see us at 2800 Enterprise Cv, Jonesboro, AR 72401, or send us an email.