Taking care of your oral health is critical not only for the health of your teeth, but also for your entire body. Numerous studies have confirmed that there's a direct link between oral health and heart disease, diabetes, and stroke risk. There are a few common bad habits everyone should quit if they want immaculate oral hygiene.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a fancy term that means teeth grinding, especially during sleep. Due to our high-stress modern lifestyles, more and more people are developing this serious bad habit. People who don't get this condition addressed right away could develop even more serious disorders such as teeth malocclusion, chipped teeth, and jaw pain.
One major way that Your Dental Office address this condition is by making a custom-fitted night guard you could wear every night. A few other treatments you could use to reduce bruxism include taking Epsom salt baths before bed and placing warm compresses on your jaw.
Eating Ice
Just because ice is made of water doesn't mean it can't hurt your teeth. The more often you chomp on those cold cubes the more likely you'll chip a tooth, break a crown, and wear away your enamel. The obvious solution to this bad habit is to drink chilled beverages…without ice!
Drinking Soda or Alcohol
Speaking of beverages, carbonated drinks and alcoholic beverages have the worst effect on a person's teeth. Having these drinks regularly will discolour your teeth quickly and increase the likelihood of developing serious gum diseases and cavities.
If you habitually drink alcohol or sodas, at least drink them with meals to cut out the acid and brush your teeth immediately afterward. It's also important to replenish all the H2O you've lost from these drinks, so drink a big glass of water afterwards.
Smoking
It should come as no surprise that smoking is one of the worst habits for oral health. Smokers have higher rates of all kinds of serious dental issues including gingivitis and oral cancer. Kicking your smoking habit will go a long way to improving your overall oral health over the course of your life.
Brushing With Too Much Pressure
Of course, it's important to brush your teeth at least twice a day; however, there is such a thing as brushing your teeth too hard. People who brush their teeth with too much pressure lose precious teeth enamel and often require surgery for receding gums. To avoid brushing your teeth with excessive pressure, consider investing in an electric toothbrush so all you have to do is gently guide it along your teeth.
It is important to avoid these bad habits in order to avoid problems with your oral health. Although habits can be hard to break, remember that you may have to deal with the consequences in the future if you choose to continue the bad habits. To learn more about how you can better your oral health and break bad habits visit Your Dental Office located in Toronto and Etobicoke. Contact us today to book an appointment, having regular dental visits is a good habit you should always keep up with.