7 Harmful Habits for Teeth

Who doesn't want a set of shiny white teeth? Having a nice set of teeth has a lot of benefits. People view you as more attractive, and you feel good about yourself. Conversely, having a set of poorly kept, stained teeth will have others assuming negative things about you.

Your teeth are constantly under attack from the acids in the food and beverages you consume, and the sugars that are converted into acid by the bacteria in your mouth. In order to give them a fighting chance, you need to establish a proper oral hygiene routine. At the very minimum, brush twice a day and floss daily. You should also visit your dentist twice a year to ensure that any issues that arise are promptly taken care of.

In order to keep your teeth healthy, there are also certain habits you should avoid. Let's take a look at some of these.

Avoid these dental habits

1. Smoking or chewing tobacco

Using tobacco products is bad for your health, and it's just as bad for your teeth. Smoking regularly stains your teeth, giving it a yellow tint. Chewing tobacco does the same for your teeth, and it puts you at an increased risk of developing oral cancer.

2. Eating lots of sugar products

Sugar is another one of those things that's equally bad for your teeth and health. Bacteria in your mouth convert sugars into acids inside your mouth. These acids eat at your enamel, causing tooth decay and gingivitis. One of the most effective ways to combat this common oral disease is by minimizing your consumption of sugar.

3. Consuming foods and drinks with strong coloring agents

Certain foods have more color to them than others and this can be bad for your teeth. For example, drinking coffee or tea regularly leads to brownish teeth. Likewise, consuming foods with strong colors like pasta sauce will leave your teeth discolored.

4. Chewing on hard things

Your teeth were designed to chew on food, not pencils, fingernails, or ice cubes. Chewing these things puts enormous strain on your teeth and that can lead to fractures, chips, and cracks. Once the enamel has been compromised, keeping the tooth healthy becomes harder.

5. Not using proper equipment when playing sports

Make sure you use a mouth guard whenever you find yourself playing contact sports like hockey and basketball. It will protect your teeth if you end up taking a big hit on your mouth.

6. Grinding your teeth

Grinding your teeth does extensive damage to them. It reduces your ability to properly chew on food, and it'll eventually lead to the disintegration of the tooth. You can combat this by wearing a mouth guard when you go to bed.

7. Missing dental checkups

Miss enough appointments with your dentist, and you will eventually end up with some serious dental issues. That's because your dentist conducts an examination of your mouth every time you're there looking for signs of dental issues. That means any problems that arise are dealt with in their early stages. Your dentist will also remove harmful tartar from your teeth when you're there.

Want more tips to help you break these harmful habits?

Request an appointment in our Dalton dental office here: https://drcalldental.com. Call us at (706) 425-6240 for more information from Dr. Call Dental Center.