Healthy Habits For Healthy Teeth
At Muse Dental Studio, we believe in offering our patients the educational tools needed to help them maintain their oral health when they are not in our office. We see our patients for such a short period of time each year, and we want to help them feel confident in properly caring for their oral health between visits. Avoiding bad habits that can cause potential damage will hopefully help patients prevent dental emergencies. We want to share some healthy habits and some bad habits to avoid to ensure optimal oral health.
Eat at Set Times
We encourage patients to avoid snacking throughout the day and to eat at set meal times instead. Snacking throughout the day leads to added bacteria in your mouth and increases the risk of developing tooth decay due to food and bacteria remaining on your teeth. Eating at set times and properly hydrating yourself allows saliva to get to work helping to rid your mouth of lingering food particles and bacteria.
Drink Plenty of Water
Similar to saliva, drinking water helps rid your mouth of lingering food and bacteria. Drinking water with meals helps flush your mouth and also helps prevent dry mouth. Dry mouth is a condition where there is not enough saliva. It can lead to increased tooth decay and gum disease.
Avoid Using Your Teeth as Tools
It can be tempting to use your teeth if you are struggling to open a bag or bottle or to rip a tag off clothing. It is important to remember that your teeth are not a tool. Using them this way can lead to serious issues, such as cracked or broken teeth. The same issues can develop if you chew on non-food items like pen caps and your fingernails.
If you are located in the Houston, TX area and have any questions or concerns about the state of your oral health, we are more than happy to assist you or a loved one. If it has been some time since your last hygiene examination, we recommend calling to schedule an appointment as soon as possible. We look forward to seeing you soon!
