According to the world health organization, we can easily avoid most oral health conditions such as tooth decay and even gum disease by maintaining good oral hygiene. Thus, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Use antibacterial mouthwash to keep bacteria at bay. You also need to visit your dentist at least twice a year.
However, as much as your oral hygiene routine plays a key role in your dental health, your habits also influence your dental health. Taking part in habits such as chewing on ice, biting nails, and smoking all play a part in your dental health. Therefore, focus not only on your dental hygiene routine, and forget about some of these unhealthy habits which also play a role in your dental health. They include;
Chewing On Ice
Chewing ice may seem harmless to most people. There are many reasons why you could chew on ice. For example, some people chew on ice when anxious or it could be because of iron deficiency. However, you should know that chewing on ice can cause damage to your teeth. Chewing on ice can cause chipped or cracked teeth. It can also cause the tooth enamel to wear out, this causes increased sensitivity.
Tobacco Use
Smoking tobacco and using other tobacco products has a great impact on your oral health. Tobacco use increases plaque, which can harden and become tartar. This accumulation of tartar can lead to tooth decay and gum diseases. Tobacco use also causes oral cancer.
Consuming A Lot of Sugary Foods and Drinks
Your mouth is full of bacteria. When you eat sugary foods and drinks, the bacteria feed off this sugar. This produces an acid that eats away at your teeth. This causes tooth decay and cavities. Thus, to avoid tooth decay and cavities, stay away from sugary foods and drinks.
Grinding Or Clenching Teeth
If you are in the habit of grinding or clenching teeth, then you are at risk of damaging your teeth. This can lead to tooth sensitivity. This habit also causes jaw pain and headaches. Although teeth grinding can happen during the day, it is likely to occur at night when sleeping. Thus, it's difficult to control. Therefore, if you suspect you are grinding your teeth at night, you need to visit your dentist.
Nail Biting
Nail biting is another foul habit that can damage your teeth. It mostly happens when one is nervous. Nail-biting chips away at your teeth, which may lead to sensitivity. It also exposes the mouth to germs and bacteria.
Finally, it is important that you do not use your teeth for any other purpose other than chewing. This means that you should not use your teeth as tools. For example, using your teeth to open bottles or remove price tags. This could lead to teeth cracking and damage to the jaw.
According to the world health organization, we can easily avoid most oral health conditions such as tooth decay and even gum disease by maintaining good oral hygiene. Thus, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice daily with a fluoride toothpaste and floss daily. Use antibacterial mouthwash to keep bacteria at bay. You also need to visit your dentist at least twice a year.