If You Have Any of These Four Habits Then You Might Be Damaging Your Teeth
Everyone knows they should brush and floss on a regular basis, but often people believe these are the only steps they need to take to keep their teeth in great shape. This is far from true. Not only do you need to get a dental cleaning and exam every six months, but you need to make sure you are not partaking in habits that can damage your teeth. Keep reading to learn about four of those habits and contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 if you are in need of a dental appointment.
- You Drink Soda
- You Use Tobacco
- You Snack on Ice
- You Bite Your Nails
Having a soda once and a while, followed promptly by brushing and flossing, is not likely to have a hugely negative impact on your oral health. However, if you drink it regularly, then it can do real damage. Why? For several reasons. First, it is high in sugar. That sugar turns to acid when combined with the bacteria in your mouth, and it can actually eat away at the tooth enamel. Second, the dark color of many sodas can stain your teeth. Switching to diet soda doesn’t help much either as it can also become acidic when it combines with saliva.
No matter if you smoke it or chew it, tobacco is terrible both for your gums and your teeth. Either option can stain and yellow your teeth. The use of any tobacco product significantly increases your chance of getting oral cancer. Smoking cigarettes is tied to higher instances of lung cancer, heart disease, and many other serious medical issues. Not to mention the fact that smoking causes bad breath.
Ice itself is actually good for you. After all, it is just another form of water and most people do not get enough water. However, it is in the chewing of this hard substance that you could potentially damage your teeth. Doing so once in a while is likely not an issue, but if you do so regularly, then you could find yourself with chipped and otherwise damaged teeth. Think of it this way: Blenders need hard metal blades just to crush ice. Why would your teeth be up for that challenge?
Biting your nails can damage your tooth enamel. Younger people who bite their nails while their teeth are stilling growing in can actually move their teeth with aggressive teeth biting. This is an issue that should be discouraged as young as possible.
The best things you can do for your teeth are to brush regularly and see your dentist at least twice each year. If it has been more than six months, contact California Dental Group at (800) 407-0161 to get started.
