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Most of us believe that maintaining a good oral health is only about brushing our teeth and flossing them. No matter how important oral hygiene routine is, it is not the only requisite of good dental health. We all have certain habits that we need to get rid of and those include dental habits as well. These bad habits may come very naturally to us and we may not even realize how harmful they are for our teeth and gums. According to the dentist in Wenatchee, WA, these are some dental habits that you must avoid at any cost.
One of the common mistakes that we make is having food and beverages that are high in sugar content. The bacteria in our mouth feed on the sugar and release acids that harm our enamel. A sticky plaque layer gets deposited on the teeth and gums. This causes decay and infection. Apart from sugary items, you must also avoid eating sticky items like gummies and candies. They don’t get washed away by saliva and remain on our teeth for a longer duration. The idea is to not completely eliminate, but at least limit the intake of these items. Even if you want to have candies, have them with your meals as your mouth produces saliva while eating food which helps in rinsing away the sticky and sugary residue.
Just like sweet treats, sodas and sports drinks are also bad for your health. These drinks have a lot of sugar which can cause cavity and decay. It is better to have drinks which are sugar-free and have lesser calories. Also, having plain water is any day better than having these drinks and soda. Plain water not only keeps you hydrated but also washes away the plaque and food debris so that the chances of decay can be reduced, says the Wenatchee dentist.
We already know how bad tobacco consumption is for our overall health and dental health is no exception to that. Chewing tobacco products and smoking not only stains your teeth but can also lead to gum disease and decay. The gum disease and decay if left untreated can lead to tooth loss and other dental issues. Thus, you must not chew tobacco products and try to quit smoking. You can talk to your doctor so that he can help you in getting rid of these addictions.
According to the dentist in Wenatchee, tearing food packets with teeth is a common habit that most people have. We don’t even realize the harm that we are causing to our teeth. However, this is one thing that we must stop doing immediately. Though it seems convenient at that point in time, using your teeth as a tool can lead to cracking and chipping. Get a scissor for opening the packet and save your teeth from trauma.
Whether you are a child or adult, as a rule of thumb, you must wear the mouth guard while engaging in any type of contact sports and adventure activities. A hit on the mouth can lead to lip or gum injury or make a chip or knock out your tooth. Thus, for protecting your oral health it is important to wear a mouthguard. Also, it is better if you go for a customized mouth guard instead of a generic one as it fits your mouth well and offers optimum protection, says the dentist near 98801.
You must never chew on ice, pens, or pencils as they are too hard for your teeth. Chewing or biting on them can lead to cracked and chipped teeth.
If you have the habit of teeth grinding during instances of stress or nervousness, you must get rid of it by wearing a nightguard. This will prevent your teeth from wearing down over the period of time.
Many people brush and floss their teeth but don’t clean their tongue with a scraper. Bacteria can thrive on your tongue as well. Thus, you must use a tongue scraper or brush the surface of your teeth.