Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. To make a good impression, it is important for you to take care of your teeth. Unfortunately, many people don’t realize that they are causing serious damage to their teeth with the small things that they do every day. Here are four small habits that can lead to big problems with your teeth.
Brushing Too Hard
Brushing your teeth is an important part of dental hygiene, but using too much pressure when you clean them can be almost as bad as skipping the task altogether. Scrubbing hard at your teeth with a firm toothbrush erodes enamel, which can lead to staining and cavities. Most dental professionals recommend brushing your teeth with a soft-bristled brush and using light pressure to get them clean without damaging them.
Crunching Away
Chewing on ice cubes, hard candy, and items like pencils can chip your teeth and cut your gums. If you have a strong urge to chew, reach for something like gum. This tasty treat does double duty by keeping your mouth busy while also increasing saliva production to help prevent cavities. Just make sure you replace your crunching habit with sugar-free gum.
Ignoring Your Dentist
You may have biannual cleanings and schedule dental work as soon as you know that you need it, but there’s still a good chance that you have fallen into the habit of ignoring your dentist. Whether you don’t floss as often as you should or you forget to brush your teeth after your bedtime snack, failing to follow your dentist’s advice can cause serious damage to your smile. If you don’t currently have a dentist, visit a dentist like those at Parkview Dental for advice on how to better care for your teeth.
Using Your Teeth as Tools
Your teeth have an important role in helping you digest food, but you should never use them for other tasks. Using your mouth to help you open packages can seem like a quick way to get the job done, but repeating this mistake can cause stress cracks and chips in your teeth. Putting packages that several people may have touched before you into your mouth can also give harmful bacteria the opportunity to make you ill.
Good dental hygiene involves more than just using mouthwash and brushing and flossing regularly. Paying attention to the small things that you do without meaning to can help you make sure that you will have a winning smile for years to come.