Do you know that there are some habits that can be harmful to your oral health? A habit is any behavior that is routinely performed intentionally or unknowingly by a person. Habits can be good or bad, it depends on what they are. For example, a good oral health habit maintains the daily routine of brushing and flossing twice. Another good oral health habit is attending regular dental tests and cleaning every six months. Unfortunately, however, there are also many bad habits that negatively affect your oral health. The worst oral habits include:
Biting your nails
Not only is this nervous habit extremely destructive to your nails, but it can also be harmful to your teeth and jaw. Constant nail biting can cause teeth to crack, as well as jaw dysfunction. This is because nail biting gets into a strong position in your jaw for an extended amount of time. Over time, this puts additional pressure on the joint and can eventually cause dysfunction. To avoid biting your nails, you can try a bitter-tasting nail polish or something else to keep your hands busy when you feel anxious.
Brushing Too Hard
Many people believe that brushing hard or scrubbing their teeth makes them cleaner and whiter in color. Unfortunately, not only is this not true, but brushing too hard is actually extremely detrimental to your tooth enamel and gums. Instead, you should use a soft toothbrush to gently massage your teeth during brushings.
Grinding and Clenching
Like nail-biting, this habit is also brought on by stress. However, most people grind or clench their teeth while they sleep and may not be aware of it. Regardless, this habit can cause a number of problems such as chipped or fractured teeth, as well as jaw problems. In fact, grinding and clenching is one of the most common contributing factors to temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. Stress management and wearing a dental night guard are two recommended methods for managing this habit.
Using Teeth as Tools
Many people have a bad habit of using their teeth for things other than eating. Using your teeth to hold things, open bottles or packages, or as scissors are all behaviors that can result in cracked teeth and jaw damage. Instead, use the tools that are intended for these purposes.
As you can see, there are a variety of bad habits that can have a negative impact on your oral health. By avoiding these bad oral habits, you can maintain your oral health and decrease the risk of needing restorative dental care. Instead, focus on practicing good oral habits like brushing twice a day, flossing daily, and visiting your local dentist for a semi-annual exam and teeth cleaning.
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