Stop These 3 Habits Now And Save Your Teeth
We are always sharing tips on how to care for your teeth properly. One of our passions is helping our patients understand how to care for their oral health. While we are sure that by now you understand the importance of limiting sugar and thoroughly brushing your teeth, you may not be aware of other ways that you are harming your oral health. There are a number of habits that people have that can harm their teeth and mouth and lead to serious complications with their oral health now and in the future. Certain habits that you don’t realize you have can lead to a serious problem or a dental emergency. Read on to learn if you are guilty of one of these habits.
Habits to Stop Today
Some habits can cause serious harm to your oral health and lead to the need for treatment. These are some of the habits that can negatively affect your teeth and mouth:
Using Teeth as Tools
It can be tempting to use your teeth to open a package or cut a tag; however, we suggest taking a few extra seconds to get the appropriate tool. It may seem that your teeth are able to handle the job, but this can cause the front teeth to become damaged. They are not used to the pressure of biting items other than food and can become cracked and chipped.
Chewing Ice
Do you love to chew on ice once you finish a cold drink and there is still some remaining in the glass? Chewing ice is one of the worst habits for your teeth. Ice is too hard for your molars and can have the same result as chewing on a non-food item. We have seen many patients who have experienced cracked molars and broken fillings due to chewing on ice.
Clenching and Grinding Teeth
This is a habit that many people are unaware of until they visit our office and learn it is a problem. Teeth clenching and grinding commonly happens during sleep. This can lead to uneven wear and cracked teeth. We can treat this problem in our office and provide the necessary hardware to help you not clench and grind your teeth.
If you are in Houston, TX or the surrounding area and are concerned that any of these habits have already caused damage to your teeth, please call our office to schedule an appointment. We can work together to come up with a dental plan that is right for you and your needs. We look forward to seeing you soon!
