As one of Center City Philadelphia’s leading dental practices, we want to see your smile shine bright and healthy. Follow these tips from our team of expert general care and emergency dentists in Philadelphia to avoid or fix any bad habits that can be harmful to your teeth.
Eating Lots of Sugar
Sweets are a delicious, and oftentimes irresistible, treat, but that’s all they should be: a treat. Munching on sugary candy too often first hurts your teeth, then your overall health! Sugar invites harmful bacteria in your mouth that leads to plaque and tooth decay.
Try: Limiting your sugar consumption as much as possible. When you do decide to treat yourself, do so after a meal and drink lots of water afterward.
Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your oral health. Cigarettes and tobacco products introduce dangerous chemicals that can cause staining, bad breath, gum disease, tooth decay, and tooth loss. Don’t ruin your beautiful smile by smoking.
Try: Kicking this bad habit by speaking to your doctor about forming a quit plan.
Brushing Too Vigorously
Did you know that brushing your teeth too vigorously can lead to enamel wear? The enamel is the outermost layer of the tooth, which serves as a protective barrier. If the enamel breaks down and exposes the inner portion of your tooth to harmful bacteria, it’s more likely that you’ll suffer from tooth decay.
Try: Going electric! Electric toothbrushes don’t “scrub” your teeth and they are extremely effective in removing plaque. If you prefer the traditional toothbrush, make sure you find a brush with soft bristles and brush in circular motions.
Biting Nails
Nail biting is oftentimes a thoughtless habit — one that somebody will do without even realizing it. Although it’s more common amongst children, there are some adults with this compulsion as well. Nonetheless, it’s not a good habit to have. Biting your nails can wear down tooth enamel, as well as invite dangerous bacteria into your mouth. It can also misshape your smile, which may then require braces or Invisalign from our Philadelphia orthodontists to correct.
Try: Cutting your nails short enough, so there is not much nail to bite on. If that doesn’t help, you can purchase bitter-tasting nail polish to wear on your nails.
Opening Things with Your Teeth
When you can’t open a bottle of water or easily take off a shopping tag, do you automatically resort to using your teeth as a tool? Many people do without taking the time to think of the consequences. Exerting too much force on your teeth can cause serious chips and cracks.
Try: Finding the proper tool or asking someone else for help instead.
Contact us today to learn more!