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Maintaining your oral health involves more than just brushing twice a day and seeing your dentist every six months. It is also about avoiding habits that can fracture, wear down, or otherwise damage your teeth and gums. Learn about some of these common bad habits for better oral health.

5 Habits That Negatively Impact Dental Health

1. Chewing Ice

Like chewing rocks, chewing the ice leftover in fizzy drinks and other beverages can fracture your teeth. These small cracks eventually widen, resulting in pain and broken teeth that require restorations, such as crowns and bridges. Start drinking cold beverages that do not need ice and keep the rock-ice association in mind to break this habit.

2. Biting Nails

dentistOften starting in childhood, many people bite their nails in response to stress and anxiety. Not only does this habit increase your susceptibility to chipped teeth, but it also puts the jaw in an unnatural, protruding position for an extended period and exposes you to the bacteria under your nails. Find healthy stress-relieving activities instead, such as deep breathing exercises, meditation, and workouts you enjoy.

3. Drinking Soda

Soda coats the teeth with sugar, which quickly works with mouth bacteria to form decay-causing acids and plaque. Since soda is one of the worst beverages for your oral and overall health, look for naturally sweet alternatives such as water flavored with berries. If you cannot give up your soda habit, limit it to one or two drinks a week and have water available to flush your mouth of sugar.

4. Aggressive Brushing

Hard brushing may seem like the best way to clean the teeth and gums, but it is one dentists strongly discourage. Aggressive brushing wears down tooth enamel, which increases sensitivity while also contributing to gum recession that eventually exposes delicate tooth roots. Instead, brush gently for two minutes twice a day using a soft-bristled implement, and ask your dentist for cleaning recommendations if necessary.

5. Frequent Snacking

Constantly snacking on sugary and starchy foods provides the bacteria in your mouth with lots of damaging particles to feast on. Rather than increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease, aim for three healthy, satiating meals a day. Snack on foods such as celery, carrots, and apples to naturally scrape the teeth of bacteria and plaque.

 

Get more mouth-healthy tips by scheduling a teeth cleaning and exam with Nizich Family Dental. Based in Juneau, AK, this family dental center offers a wide range of services, including in-house orthodontics and oral cancer screenings. Call (907) 789-7001 today to make your appointment or visit the dentist online for more information. Get the latest dental health tips on Facebook.

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