Is your dental health important to you? If so, then it’s a must to properly care for your mouth, teeth and gums. Therefore, you won’t have to worry about such problems as tooth loss, unpleasant breath or unsightly blemishes. Your dentist in Lawrenceville says, unknowingly, you may be participating in activities that are detrimental to your oral health. As you read on, learn about 5 habits to avoid, and how your local dental professional can help you preserve your smile!
Habit #1 – Overindulging in Sugar
Contrary to popular belief, unhealthy sugar isn’t just relegated to candies and pastries. It can also be found in breads, chips and other snack items.
Since oral bacteria feed on the leftover sugar, a diet consisting of the above can lead to serious oral health problems like cavities and gum disease. A remedy is to incorporate healthier sugar into your eating routine from different types of fruits. The sugar they contain is far less detrimental for your dental wellness.
Habit #2 – Tobacco Usage
Whether smoked or chewed, tobacco usage is a “no-no.” For starters, it releases toxins into the mouth that can contribute to gum disease, tooth decay and oral cancer.
An excellent way to overcome a tobacco habit is to start a new exercise and eating regimen.
Habit #3 – Using Your Teeth as Tools
You’ve made an important purchase, and you’re eager to open the package to get to your product. You don’t have a pair of scissors handy, but you’ve got your teeth. Should you use them instead? Your local dentist says, “Don’t do it!”
That’s because this can lead to a dental emergency. To avoid this, only use your teeth for what they were designed to do:
- To aid in pronunciation
- To support the other teeth
- To provide support for the jawbone
Habit #4 – Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
If you suffer from bruxism, it places your teeth under unnatural stress. The result can be enamel wear, a weakened tooth or a severe break. Because tooth grinding can sometimes occur while you sleep, if you notice that you awaken to jaw stiffness or pain, you should bring it to your dentist’s attention so you can be treated as soon as possible.
Habit #5 – Vigorous Brushing
While it may seem that the most logical way to clean your teeth is to apply more pressure when brushing, the reality is that too vigorous of an approach could contribute to their premature wear. Although the enamel is composed of the strongest material in the human body, it’s not infallible to damage.
It’s better, then, to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and to apply light pressure when cleaning your teeth. You’ll see far more benefits by taking this cautious approach and using the right technique.
Now that you’re armed with more knowledge about how to maintain excellent oral health, the next step to take is to reach out to your local dentist to schedule a six-month visit. The road to fully protecting your mouth, teeth and gums starts now!
About the Author
To say that Dr. Bruce E. Carter is a fixture in the Lawrenceville area is an understatement. That’s because for over 30 years, the University of Florida College of Dentistry graduate has been providing the absolute best in dental care to his patients. Dr. Carter changes lives at Transforming Smiles, and he can be reached for more information through his website.