You may be brushing your teeth
regularly, flossing between each and every tooth, and rinsing away all germs
with mouthwash as your dentist instructed, but what if you still have some bad
dental habits that you are unaware of? People have different ways of dealing
with their stress, anxiety, and nerves throughout their everyday lives. It may
not even be during stressful times that these bad habits take place. Even at
moments when someone is merely sitting at their desk brainstorming or at home
watching television in a perfectly good mood, they will often show signs of bad
dental habits such as chewing on pens, grinding their teeth, sipping on coffee
and soda, or even biting their nails. We are only human and we are not perfect,
but we can learn to overcome the bad habits that come along with our imperfect
world.
One mistake that
many of us make is using our teeth as tools. We should never use them to open
cans, bottles, or any sort of hard container that can possibly chip or break a tooth.
Always keep a can opener, scissors, or any other cutting tool at hand to avoid
fracturing your teeth. It can not only be a painful experience, but it can also
be very bothersome to feel a chipped tooth in your mouth all day until you are
able to get it fixed. Stay away from chewing on pens, pencils, and your nails.
Just like cans and bottles, chewing on these objects can lead to breaks and
unwanted chips to your teeth as well. Instead, try chewing on something
healthier that is easier on your teeth such as sugar-free bubble gum or
veggies.
Try staying away
from crunching down on large pieces of ice from your drink. It may be refreshing,
but there are risks at hand when chewing large ice cubes. It has the same
effects as biting on pens would have. It can slowly begin to cause damage to
the enamel, which can lead to bigger problems in the future. Instead, switch to
small, crushed ice that will dissolve easily and faster than large ice. Sipping
on sugary or acidic beverages is another habit that most people take very
lightly. The acids and sugars found in certain drinks are capable of breaking down
and eroding your teeth over time. If you have no choice but to drink acidic or
sugary beverages, try to avoid damage by using a straw more often. Make sure
the straw is positioned to the back of the mouth instead of being up against
the surface of your teeth to prevent tooth decay.
People may grind
their teeth during any time of day. Whether it is during the day or while
you’re sleeping, grinding is a bad habit on many levels. It can be caused from
stress and anxiety, but it could also be because of crooked teeth or an
abnormal bite. There are several things you could do to prevent grinding. The
first step is to simply pay close attention to your actions. If you catch
yourself grinding, try placing your tongue in between your teeth to help reduce
your jaw pressure and help it relax. If you practice this often, you can
eventually teach yourself to stop grinding all together. For nighttime relief,
place a warm towel on your jaw line to relax your muscles. If you want
something more dependable, try wearing a mouth guard, which will stay in place
all night long. We are blessed with only
one set of adult teeth in our lifetime, so we must always strive to keep them
clean and in shape for our future years to come!
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