Habits to Break to Protect Your Teeth

How many of these bad habits do you do? Some bad habits can damage your teeth. As your experienced dentist in southern Missouri, we know how dangerous it can be to perform these bad habits on a regular basis. If you're worried about how your habits are affecting your teeth, stop by Access Dental & Dentures today. We can look over your teeth to let you know how your habits may be impacting your oral health. Take a look below to learn how these bad habits can take a toll on your teeth.

Nail Biting

Biting nails is an easy way to invite bacteria into your mouth. Aside from unnecessary amounts of bacteria, biting your nails can also damage your tooth. Chipping teeth and negative impacts on your jaw muscles and bones are caused by this bad habit. To avoid further tooth damage, work to find a way to relieve the urge to bite your nails.

Chewing Ice

Any hard substance chewed between your teeth can cause damage, ice included. It can put pressure and end up chipping the tooth surface or fillings you may have. To avoid this habit, consider drinking chilled drinks without ice or use a straw when drinking a glass filled with ice.

Consuming Sugary Drinks

Soda and other sugar-filled drinks can cause unnecessary damage to your tooth's surface. Bacteria thrives when sugar is found in the mouth. This can lead to the decay of your tooth's protective layer, enamel. Cavities come along after the enamel covering has been damaged and this can cause tooth decay and other oral issues. Swap out your sugar-filled drinks for a refreshing glass of water.

Grinding Teeth

Many people will grind their teeth as a nervous habit or while they sleep. If you do this. it's can cause surface damage to your teeth. Chipping or cracking of your tooth surface is another side effect of teeth grinding. Try to relax in other ways to avoid tooth grinding.

Use Teeth as a Tool

Teeth are made for eating, not a tool. Avoid opening items with your teeth. Whether you're ripping open a package or bending something, your teeth are not to be used. A tooth breaking or chipping is often a side effect of using your teeth for an unintended purpose. To avoid this bad habit, make it a point to not use your teeth as a tool and take the time to find the proper item to accomplish your task.

After reading through this list, have you realized you have a few of these bad habits? Now is the time to try to break any bad habits before they cause even more damage to your teeth. If you're worried about the condition of your teeth, contact our Springfield, Missouri dentist to schedule an appointment. We look forward to checking over your teeth and helping you work toward a healthy, beautiful smile.

We want to be your dentist because your family deserves a great smile!

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