It is so easy for patients of all ages to develop habits and routines that may be hurting their smiles. Many of the things we do that undermine oral health are actually done unconsciously! Today, our Toluca Lake dentists are reviewing a few key habits that can take a toll on your oral health. Let’s get started with…
Dental Grinding
Clenching and grinding your teeth together puts immense pressure on your dental enamel. Some patients only grind their teeth intermittently, such as in times of stress. However, if grinding and clenching are happening a lot, you may be suffering from bruxism.
Reaching for the Wrong Beverages
Many of our favorite drinks are actually pretty bad for our teeth. In fact, even drinks that we think of as healthy, like fruit juices and sports drinks, can cause our dental enamel to soften and thin. Whenever possible, reach for water, and try to get into the habit of rinsing your mouth with water after every snack and meal.
Picking at Your Teeth
If you are trying to reach that stubborn kernel between your teeth, try floss rather than a metal or wooden toothpick. Toothpicks can cause damage to oral tissues and irritate sensitive portions of your tooth structure
Chewing Hard Substances
Making a habit out of chomping on ice, hard candies, and mints can really compound dental damage over time. Try to be mindful of how you are consuming particularly hard substances; the cracks and chips caused by chewing may be imperceptible to the eye, but they are still problematic.
Brushing at the Wrong Times
Generally speaking, brushing your smile is a good idea! However, in the twenty to thirty-minute window after you finish eating or drinking, you really want to refrain from brushing. It is likely that your enamel is temporarily softened during this time, due to exposure to sugars and acids. Brushing before your enamel has a chance to re-mineralize will weaken teeth over time.
Take simple steps today to protect your smile for the future! Give our Toluca Lake dentists a call to get more information or to schedule a personal consultation.