To achieve optimal oral health, it is important to brush and floss your teeth, as well as visit your dentist twice every year. But you may have some dental habits that can undermine the positive ones and destroy your teeth. A great dentist who specializes in caring dentistry in Sterling Heights will advise you against any of the following dental habits:
Biting the Nails
Nail biting can negatively impact your teeth and mouth because it can cause your teeth to crack, chip, and wear down. Also, this causes your jaw to be dysfunctional when your jaws are protruded for a long time. Moreover, nail biting can result in teeth misalignment, which can make them prone to plaques and the buildup of harmful bacteria. To stop this habit, you can try wearing bitter-tasting nail polish, so you can train yourself not to bite. Your dentist may be able to give you advice on how you can stop your nail-biting habits.
Chewing on Ice
Although it feels great to be able to cool down by chewing on ice, this habit can harm your oral health over time. The force applied can result in tooth cracking or chipping. Also, it can irritate the soft tissue around your teeth, leading to regular toothaches. To preserve your dental and oral health, try to find ways to cool yourself down. You can try consuming cold drinks without ice.
Getting Oral Piercings
Lip and tongue piercings can let you express your identity. However, they can be harmful to your teeth. Did you know that any piece of metal in the mouth can be a breeding ground for bacteria? These bacteria can make your mouth prone to gum sores and infections. In addition, tongue piercings can damage your tooth enamel when you happen to bite on them. Also, the metal can crack your teeth.
If you truly love piercings, get them on other body parts. If you already have a mouth piercing, make sure you see a dentist and maintain good oral hygiene.
Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
Teeth grinding at night can happen due to stress. Clenching and grinding your teeth can lead to cracking and chipping. Also, this habit can cause jaw pain, muscle tenderness, and headaches. If you have this habit, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard. Anxiety and stress are the main causes; however, you can let go of this habit through meditation, exercises, relaxation, and counseling. Holding the tongue between the teeth may help you control teeth clenching.
