Oral health is as important for our overall health. Bad habits like smoking, drinking, and chewing tobacco can damage our oral health. If you suffer from any of these bad habits, it is important that you take corrective measures as soon as possible. These habits can cause cavities, gum disease, and more. Here are a few bad habits that can damage our oral health.
Nail biting is a habit that mostly starts in childhood and can continue into adulthood. This bad habit can be harmful to our oral health because of the negative effects on teeth and mouth. It can cause tooth damage, such as chipped or broken teeth and gum injuries. Nail biting can also affect jaw alignment and cause the temporomandibular joint disorder. The habit of nail biting can also leave an unpleasant smell on our fingers and nails. If you or your child have the habit of nail-biting, try to remove the habit by first identifying the root cause of the habit. Then make a strategy to break the habit. Ask your dentist for suggestions and tips, if needed. You can also consult a licensed psychologist to help you kick the habit for good.
If you smoke, you’ve probably already been told about the damage it can do to your health. But did you know that it can affect your teeth and gums? The chemicals in cigarettes and cigars stain your teeth and cause bad breath -- even worse are the effects they have on your gums. Cigarette smokers are at much greater risk for gum disease than non-smokers. And smokers with gum disease are more likely to have severe gum recession than those who have never smoked. Smokers are also at increased risk for oral cancers, such as cancer of the lip, tongue, gums, and other tissues in and around the mouth.
To help protect your oral health, avoid smoking and breathing secondhand smoke. This won’t just protect your health but your oral and overall health as well!
Aggressive brushing can lead to receding gums and sensitivity. Gum recession exposes the root of the tooth to bacteria that can cause tooth decay. When plaque and food debris remain on the root surface, the bacteria can cause an infection that damages the bone that supports the teeth. To avoid such damage, start by using gentle strokes with clean toothbrush bristles at the gum line at a 45-degree angle. The brush should be held at the same height as the teeth to avoid gum recession as well. Do this at least twice a day, along with flossing at least once to remove food particles from between the teeth and under the gum line. If there are bleeding or sore gums after brushing, consult your dentist for advice on making brushing gentler on teeth and gums.
Bruxism is when you grind or clench your teeth together while sleeping. This can be caused by many factors, including stress. The habit itself can cause damage to your teeth and your jaw. It can even cause long-term problems for your teeth! The constant pressure and friction from clenching and grinding can wear down the tooth enamel, causing chips, cracks, or even fractures in your teeth. Over time, this will wear down the teeth and cause them to become weak and fragile. It can also cause headaches and migraines that get worse over time due to grinding the teeth. It also causes damage to the TMJ joint where your upper and lower jawbone connect. This can lead to a variety of symptoms like chronic headaches, pain in your face, neck, and shoulders, and even lockjaw. If you think you have any of these symptoms, we recommend scheduling an appointment with us as soon as possible so we can determine the cause and treat it right away!
Going to the dental office regularly is important for a number of reasons. First, it ensures that any issues are detected and treated early on. It also allows your dentist to check for signs of oral cancer and gum disease during routine checkups. Failing to visit the dentist regularly can result in some serious consequences, like tooth loss, gum disease, and tooth decay. Gum disease can also lead to the loss of adult teeth. Visiting a dentist every six months can also help protect your teeth from damage, such as tooth erosion, which can occur when acid comes in contact with enamel for too long. If your dental visit has been pending for months, call us and schedule an appointment at the earliest.
If you would like to learn more about oral care, speak to our dentist today to schedule a consultation. Visit Caspian Dental Center at 410 Park Grove Dr., Katy, TX 77450, or call us at (832)-501-9392 now.
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