Oral health is vital to your overall health and wellness. Bad dental habits can result in gum disease and dental cavities. Moreover, gum disease may also lead to other health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease. While you may be aware of the dos of maintaining proper oral health, you might be engaging in one or more poor oral hygiene practices.
Munching on Ice
Ice and other hardened food items, such as popcorn kernels and candies, can stress your teeth, causing them to crack or chip against their tough exterior. Eating ice causes micro fractures in your teeth and can also irritate the tissue surrounding them, impacting your oral health in the process. Making this a potentially bad dental habit.
If you are someone who munches on the ice present in soda cups, you are essentially doubling the damage. The frozen exterior of the ice and the acidic nature of the drink can wreak havoc on your teeth, which is why it’s best to limit both.
Using Lemon as a Teeth Whitener
We all want those set of pearly whites that can light up the room. If you have looked up ways to whiten your teeth at home, you’d be familiar with rubbing lemon on teeth. Although the bleaching quality of lemons may slightly whiten the teeth, it can end up doing way more damage than good. The high level of citric acid present in lemons can erode the tooth’s enamel if used regularly. So before you turn to YouTube for help, it is best to do your research first or consult your dentist.
Using Teeth as a Tool
Your teeth are not a bottle opener or a pair of scissors. If you constantly use your teeth as a means of ripping a price tag off a piece of fabric or straightening a bent spoon, you are traumatizing and weakening them. This makes the teeth more prone to chipping off or getting fractured.
Brushing with a Hard-Bristled Toothbrush
Many people have this misconception that the harder they brush their teeth, the better. This is far from the truth, especially for older adults. With advancing age, the gums recede, and the teeth roots become more exposed, increasing sensitivity. These roots are covered with cementum, which can wither away more quickly compared to enamel. A toothbrush with hard bristles may irritate the gums and result in increased sensitivity.
Binge-Eating
Binge-eating typically involves consuming high doses of sugar and carbohydrates, which can result in tooth decay and other dental health problems.
Conclusion
A proper oral hygiene routine involves knowing what to do and what to avoid to take care of your mouth. If you have these above-mentioned bad dental habits, it is time to make some changes for the better. Brush and floss regularly, visit your dentist twice a year, and avoid foods that damage your teeth.
