If you are following your dentist’s oral hygiene recommendations, but you are still looking to improve dental oral, it may be time to look at your daily habits. Sometimes, we get into routines that inadvertently cause dental damage. Keep reading to learn more about 5 common habits that can actually harm your smile.
Sipping or snacking continuously
Did you know that oral bacteria are only able to feed on sugars and refined carbohydrates for twenty to thirty minutes after you finish eating or drinking? That means that drinking a soft drink in one sitting is actually better for your smile than sipping on the same drink all day long. Minimize the amount of time that bacteria can thrive by sipping and snacking smartly.
Chomping on hard treats
Chewing on ice, mints, and hard candies may seem innocuous enough, but the truth is that this habit can create small cracks and chips in your enamel. You may not be able to see this damage at first, but these imperfections will intensify and become larger over time. Plus, these weak spots can be entry points for bacteria to infiltrate your teeth and take root.
Utilizing pointy dental tools
Try not to use metal or wooden toothpicks to dislodge dental debris and plaque from between your teeth. It is much safer to refresh your smile using floss, mouth rinse, and even water.
Brushing incorrectly
Acidic foods and drinks actually make dental enamel temporarily softer, and thus more vulnerable to damage. The good news is that your enamel re-mineralizes shortly after acid exposure, but you want to make sure that you aren’t brushing your teeth for about twenty to thirty minutes after acid exposure. It is much better to rinse right after eating or drinking instead.
Clenching and grinding
So many of us automatically clench our jaws or grind our teeth during times of stress. If you notice yourself doing this make it a point to stretch your jaw and take a deep breath, to minimize tooth-on-tooth contact.
Want more information about optimizing your dental care day to day? Our East Plano dentists are here to help you, just give us a call to get started!