Do you take good care of your teeth? Most people would say they do. Roughly 52.3% of adults visit their dentist every six months, and 70% brush their teeth twice a day. Yet, even with most of us practicing great dental habits, the American College of Prosthodontists reports that about 120 million people are missing at least one tooth, and 36 million don’t have any teeth at all! Unfortunately, you can have great oral hygiene habits, never miss your dental checkup, and still be hurting your teeth on a daily basis. Here’s what your dentist wants you to know about everyday habits and routines that could be damaging your teeth, and what you can do about them.
Your Dental Routine
Everyone knows that a daily dental care routine is important for taking care of your teeth. However, many people don’t consider how they brush. If you brush your teeth with too much force or use a toothbrush with hard, stiff bristles, you may be doing more harm than good. Overly aggressive brushing wears away at your enamel and causes gum recession. This can lead to sensitive teeth, exposed roots, and susceptibility to gum disease.
Don’t let too much of a good thing damage your teeth. If you brush your teeth with a sawing motion or squash your bristles while brushing, you are over-brushing. To fix this bad habit, brush with short stokes and scrubbing motions, using just enough pressure to feel the bristles massaging your gums, and only use toothbrushes with soft or medium grace bristles.
Stress Management
How you control stress in your day-to-day life plays a big part in taking care of your teeth. Healthy management techniques include yoga, meditation, exercising, and adequate rest. If left unchecked, daily stress can hurt your teeth with:
- Nervous chewing on hard objects like fingernails, pen caps, and ice that can chip or crack your teeth.
- Stress eating on sugary comfort foods, which puts you at a higher risk for cavities.
- Bruxism, or an unconscious grinding of teeth in your sleep, which can wear down your enamel and break your teeth.
Bad Habits
More ways to keep your teeth safe start with breaking these common bad habits:
- Using your teeth to open containers, packages, or bottles
- Smoking and using tobacco products
- Not wearing a sports guard or helmet during sports or physical activities
By avoiding harmful everyday routines and habits that can harm your teeth, you can protect your happy, healthy smile for years to come!
About the Practice
Dr. Krunal Patel and Dr. Barry Isdaner of Advanced Smile Design have been providing comprehensive dentistry to the Willow Grove, PA area since 1977. They share a passion for helping their patients achieve happy, beautiful smiles and improving lives with healthy lifestyles and habits. If you’d like to know more, they can be reached at their website or at (215) 659-3334.
