Daily Habits that Harm Teeth
Whether we realize it or not, we have tasks we do on a daily basis. While most of these talks are necessary, we may have some harmful habits that are hurting our teeth. At Escondido Dental and Orthodontics we want to help you identify and quite some habits you may not even realize you have.
Are You a Snacker?
When we eat, little particles of food stay behind in between and on your teeth. Cavity causing bacteria feast on all of the little residual bits of food. They leave behind an acid that is harmful to tooth enamel when present too often or for too long. Keep in mind that every time we eat, this process is repeated! Your teeth will thank you for limiting the snacking, especially on carb rich foods! Rinsing your mouth with water after eating is a great new habit to adopt!
Nail Biting!
Public speaking, watching a suspenseful movie, and taking a timed test. What do these things have in common? They can result in nail biting! This is super damaging not only to nails of coarse but to your teeth. Jaw problems, bite misalignment, enamel destruction, and chipped teeth are just some unwanted results. Your gums can also suffer from the bacteria underneath finger nails- gross! Some positive replacements for stress relief could be a stress ball or walking outdoors.
Using Teeth as Tools
What would you say is a convenient way to take off that stubborn water bottle cap or rip open that bag of food? If you say your teeth, sadly you are not alone. Some of the issues that result from nail biting are similar to the effects of using teeth as tools, namely chipped teeth and jaw problems. Simply opting for a pair of scissors is a great way to protect your teeth!
We Can Help!
Likely you do have some damage, like chipped teeth or sensitivity due to erosion if you have some of these habits. Give Escondido Dental a call to schedule an appointment to fix your teeth! (760) 233-2260