Bad Oral Habits to Avoid

With the Coronavirus closing many dentist offices, it’s still important to practice good oral hygiene. If you have ever worried about your dental health, you may want to learn more about some of the most common bad oral habits to avoid. Some of these may be obvious, but others may not be.  Keep reading to learn about bad oral habits to avoid that can potentially ruin your dental health.

Foods That Weaken Teeth

We are frequently asked about which foods are harmful to the teeth. Usually, any foods that contain high amounts of simple sugars—candy and desserts, for example—will cause the teeth to be weakened because these snacks increase the amount of acid in the mouth. The bacteria consume these products and break them down into acid, which then eats away at the tooth, causing decay and gum disease. Besides sweets, certain beverages can also be damaging. A lot of sodas and sport drinks are highly acidic. Other issues that could cause erosion of the teeth include sucking on citrus fruits and regurgitating acid due to gastrointestinal issues. It is best to avoid foods with high amounts of sugar as well as acidic sport drinks and sodas.

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Bad Oral Habits of Brushing Too Hard

Believe it or not, brushing too hard is one of the most common bad oral habits we see. Not all tooth brushes are created equal and the bristles absolutely matter. A hard bristle may be too rough for sensitive gums and even be too hard for the enamel on your teeth. You should opt for one of the soft bristled toothbrushes. Teeth don’t need to be roughly scrubbed down with tough bristles. They are more sensitive than you think.

Also, brand matters. You may think that the cheapest brush will suffice. However, there are certain name-brand brushes that recommended by dentists for a reason. They often are made with higher-quality materials that are more suited for your teeth and gums as well as having superior design.

Not Rotating Your Toothbrush Often Enough

You want your brush to be able to reach all the parts of your mouth that need to be efficiently cleaned, right? Having a bulky shaped head of a brush that can’t reach the backs of your molars is not necessarily the best choice. Depending on the shape of your mouth, you will need a particular shape that reaches every part of every tooth. If you are missing spots, it may be time for a new toothbrush.  Remember to switch them out about every three months!

Smoking or Using Smokeless Tobacco

Tobacco is another one of the most common bad oral habits. Yes, smokeless tobacco can be harmful because chewers usually put the tobacco in between the cheek and the gum. In many instances, when doing oral exams, we see the changes in the tissue to the exposure to the smokeless tobacco, which can ultimately lead to oral cancer, ulcerations, and oral infections.

We also recommend everyone stops smoking regular tobacco as well as the new vaporized forms as these will lead to oral health issues, and lung complications.

Oral Piercings

While the piercing itself is not technically a “habit” exactly, having oral piercings can create problems when someone habitually chews, spins, or touches their oral piercing. Some of our patients with oral piercings and have accidentally bitten the piercing and fractured their teeth because of habitually playing around with the piercing. Also, the mouth is full of bacteria, and when the structures inside the mouth are pierced, bacteria can be introduced into the rest of the body. If you pierce your tongue, you could strike a nerve and cause issues such as loss of sensation. There is also the possibility of swallowing or dislodging the piercing.

Avoid These Bad Oral Habits

If you have any concerns or questions, please feel free to contact us to arrange an appointment once we are able to open our offices again. In the meantime, make sure you’re avoiding these bad oral habits and brushing and flossing regularly. We hope to see you at our Buffalo dental office soon.

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