Daily Habits That Spoil Your Teeth | Park Dental BK
- by Milena Marguenski
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- 28 Jul, 2022
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You might think that brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing is a great way of cleaning your teeth, but there are other things that can affect your dental hygiene. On a daily basis, there are so many things we do intentionally and unintentionally that cause damage to our teeth.
These habits are not good for your teeth and gums as they cause serious damage to them. Food and beverage related habits that harm the teeth are common knowledge but there are some not so obvious habits too.
Let’s look at these habits that cause damage to your teeth and gums.
Nail Biting
Nail biting not only affects your health and the quality of your nails, it also affects your teeth. Biting your nails for a long time causes cracks and chipping of teeth. If done for a long time, it can also lead to jaw dysfunction.
While biting your nails, your teeth are positioned in an unnatural angle and push your jaw out of line. Biting your nails can also lead to diseases as you introduce harmful bacteria into your mouth.
Brushing Teeth Too Hard
Brushing your teeth twice a day might help you maintain your dental hygiene but brushing too hard can cause enamel erosion. People believe that aggressive brushing removes plaque from teeth but it leads to gum problems and bleeding.
The American Dental Association recommends that the best way to clean your teeth is by brushing them for two minutes with a soft bristled toothbrush. You should massage your teeth gently with wide strokes and not scrub them.
Sucking Thumb or Fingers
Sucking thumbs or fingers is a common occurrence in children below the age of five. However, if the habit continues even after 5, it can leave them with misaligned teeth. If your child is over 5 and still sucking on their thumb, it would be wise to take them to a pediatrician and let them help you out.
The habit of sucking on their thumb can lead to major dental problems. It can affect your gums and teeth growth leading to misalignment that can even lead to injuries.
Alcohol and Smoking
Consumption of alcohol and smoking cigarettes, cigars and even vapes have harmful effects on your general health. However, that’s not it, they also affect your teeth and gums. Smoking can lead to many gum diseases, bad breath, and oral cancer.
Alcohol consumption leads to dehydration and reduced saliva flow which causes dry mouth. This leads to an increased risk of tooth decay and gum diseases. Saliva helps in keeping mouth bacteria free. The absence of it causes bacteria to affect the enamel and increase chances of tooth decay.
Using Teeth As Tools
In The End
Brushing your teeth vigorously is not the right way to get better teeth and oral hygiene. You can switch to a soft bristled toothbrush and gently massage your teeth to clean them. Another beneficial practice is to visit your dentist for timely check ups.
Regular checks with your dentist will allow you to understand your teeth better and help you maintain them properly. Visit our team of expert dentists at Park Dental Care Brooklyn and get the best care for your gums and teeth with the help of our wide range of services.
Brooklyn residents often wonder whether their tap water is helping or harming their dental health. One key factor in this debate is
fluoride
, a naturally occurring mineral added to public water supplies to prevent cavities. But does Brooklyn tap water really protect your teeth from decay? In this blog,
we’ll
uncover the truth about fluoride levels in NYC’s water and whether it plays a significant role in cavity prevention.
Sudden gum swelling is a dental condition that requires immediate attention, even if there is no pain. Gum health is often overlooked, but it is essential for overall oral well- being. Swollen gums may seem harmless at first, but they often indicate underlying issues that can worsen if left untreated.
Many people think of dental emergencies as situations with severe pain, but it's important to understand that discomfort isn't always a reliable sign of serious problems. Just because there is no pain doesn't mean there is no risk. Sudden gum swelling should be treated as an emergency , emphasizing the need for prompt professional evaluation.
Ignoring swollen gums can lead to more severe complications, affecting both oral health and general wellness. By understanding the seriousness of this condition and
seeking timely intervention, you can prevent further damage and ensure that your gums—and teeth—stay healthy and strong.
A skilled dental team can properly assess and treat any swelling. Prioritize your gum health by taking action when you notice unusual changes, protecting your smile for the future.
It's important to remember that maintaining good oral hygiene, including flossing your teeth regularly , can help prevent conditions like gum swelling. Additionally, if you're interested in improving your smile beyond just addressing gum issues, there are various options available in cosmetic dentistry that you should know about. Finally, if you're looking for ways to achieve a brighter smile, there are effective methods on how to get whiter and brighter teeth at home that you might find helpful.
If you thought that oral health problems are only for adults, then think again. The first teeth start appearing by 4 to 5 months of age. Then by the age of 3, kids have a full set of teeth. This is the time when parents have to be extremely careful about oral hygiene.
By the age of 6-7, the primary teeth start to fall out to make space for the permanent teeth. These permanent teeth are the ones that will stay with them for the rest of their lives. However, there are certain oral problems such as tooth decay, lip sucking, and early teeth loss.
Let’s take a look at these common oral health problems.
With the procedures’ popularity, several pharmaceutical companies launched their over-the-counter teeth whitening kits. This made the procedure more accessible and cheaper as compared to a professional session.
But which one is better? Let’s understand both the procedures first.
However, if the damage is left untreated, it can lead to irreversible damage. According to the CDC , about 42.7% people by the age of 30 years face some sort of periodontal disease. These diseases increase with age.
Let’s take a further look into the type of disease and how they can be treated.
