In general, most of us are usually working to maintain good health in every aspect of our lives. From checking our blood pressure, to exercising and eating a healthy diet, we want to make sure that our body is functioning at its best. Another way that we can take care of ourselves is through proper oral hygiene. And, while many of us know to brush our teeth and floss, there are some bad habits that can lead to cavities, chipped teeth and even tooth decay if not taken care of immediately.
Bad Habits You Need To Stop Doing Now
When it comes down to it, we all have bad habits whether we care to admit it or not, but there are some habits we just haven’t realized aren’t a benefit to us or our health. When it comes to bad oral habits, it’s not that they’re precisely bad habits, but they can have a negative effect on your oral health. So, here are some bad habits that have a negative impact on your oral health, according Idaho Falls orthodontist, Randall Orthodontics.
- Eating ice – This is one many people do and don’t realize that it can harm your oral health. Eating ice often can put your teeth at risk for cracking or chipping from the harsh and frozen exterior of the ice. Because the ice is so cold, it can also irritate the tissues that are around your teeth, which can have a negative impact on your oral health in the process.
- Drinking coffee or red wine – The majority of people drink coffee every day or have a glass of red wine with dinner, which can be harmful because the acidity and color of wine or coffee products can stain your teeth and make it harder to keep your teeth clean and white. As a recommendation, try to add cream to your coffee or limit your wine intake to buffer the negative effect it can have on your oral health.
- Biting nails – This one is a popular one too that many people don’t realize can be harmful. Constantly biting down on your nails can leave your teeth to be at risk of being worn down. Biting your nails can add additional stress onto your teeth, which may cause them to misalign. Biting your nails can also make you prone to plaque, and bacteria build up as well as being prone to infections as bacteria can hide underneath your fingernails.
- Gummies and hard candy – Hard candy and gummy candy is a leading factor in tooth decay. Gummy candy can be especially harmful to your teeth because they have a strong likelihood to stick to your teeth and stay in your mouth for an extended period of time. This can harm your oral health because you’ll be at risk for cavities. Gummies and hard candy can also be dangerous if you have braces from put on by an orthodontist in Idaho Falls, as they can break brackets.
- Brushing your teeth too hard – Believe it or not, brushing your teeth too hard can actually hurt your oral health as it can wear down your teeth and even damage or irritate your gums, leaving your teeth more prone to oral health concerns.
Breaking Bad Habits Once & For All
Breaking bad habits is hard, especially when you’re used to practicing them. A trick for breaking a bad habit is replacing a bad habit with a healthier one. Some oral health habits you can use to break your bad oral health habits can include:
- Visiting your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
- Visiting your orthodontist in Idaho Falls in necessary.
- Flossing regularly.
- Brushing twice a day.
- Chewing on sugar-free gum instead of biting your nails.
- Eat healthier snacks and foods that have a low sugar level.
- Eating a balanced meal and drinking lots of water.
Your oral health is essential and will always be necessary, so taking the right steps and action towards bettering your oral health is the right thing to do. With these tips in mind, creating a good habit routine for your oral health will outweigh the bad ones creating a lasting effect that can benefit your oral health. As always, if you have any problems or questions about your dental health, or need advice on how to improve your dental health, talk to your local Idaho Falls orthodontist today for steps that will benefit you
