Even if we take utmost care of brushing and flossing daily, still certain practices cause more damage to the teeth than we can think of.

Certain drinks, physical activities, and the foods we consume can damage our teeth and gums.

In order to have a healthy and white smile, the following practices are to be avoided as they are detrimental to oral health.

A.BINGE EATING –

Lately, due to lockdown and the COVID pandemic, people at home are more inclined towards having junk food more frequently.

Sticky food like wafers, snack bars, fries is the main culprit for causing not just obesity but also dental caries.

Hence maintaining a diet chart as well as taking frequent healthy meals to become a task of utmost importance.

B.SUGARY TREATS –

High sugar intake is a major causative factor of dental cavities/decay/tooth germ.

Candies, Gums, Sticky foods all contain high amounts of sugar which are easy targets of oral bacteria to feed on and cause acid production. This erodes away the enamel of the tooth and ultimately leads to dental caries.

Reducing or rather minimizing the intake of sugar/sticky food will reduce the occurrence of cavities.

What to eat for sugar cravings then?

Sugar-free candies and gums are a good alternative.

C.FAULTY BRUSHING TECHNIQUE –

Not brushing properly or using a hard brush and brushing vigorously, both are not good for our dental health.

Brushing harshly leads to the wearing of tooth structure which further might lead to teeth sensitivity.

SOLUTION-

Brush twice a day and use a soft brush.

D.SMOKING –

Smoking and consumption of tobacco not just stains our teeth but also increase the chances of developing gum diseases and the risk of oral cancer.

Therefore avoid tobacco consumption as much you can.

Quit smoking!

E.CRUNCHING ICE –

Chewing ice is a very common habit. But this practice often leads to breaking or cracking of tooth surface commonly called a cracked tooth. The typical symptom of this dental problem is acute pain while chewing or biting.

Avoid chewing on ice as much as possible.

F.THUMB SUCKING –

Thumb sucking is fine for young infants who are teething or less than 3 yrs of age but this bad habit can damage the alignment of the teeth over time. In this, this may cause misaligned and forwardly placed teeth. This requires braces for correction.

Thumb sucking can be prevented at all ages. Consult your child with the dentist as soon as possible.

G.TOOTH GRINDING –

Teeth grinding or jaw clenching is a very common habit of many people especially at night during sleep or when they are stressed or anxious.

Furthermore, this habit which is called bruxism can cause wearing of teeth structure, joint problems, headache, and jaw pain very commonly.

SOLUTION

Splints are made available by your dentist to be worn at night for this problem. Few medications along with splints can help in treating the problem.

H.AERATED OR CAFFEINATED DRINKS –

Soft drink cans, alcohol, or caffeinated drinks like tea and coffee can lead to yellow teeth and also may erode the teeth. Furthermore high sugar content in them also increases the chances of tooth cavities.

Many people who complain about yellowish teeth should keep in mind that excessive consumption of caffeinated drinks can be one of the prime culprits in causing YELLOW TEETH.

I.NAIL-BITING –

The habit of biting the nails has the potential for cracking, chipping, or wearing down of the teeth over time.

Moreover, it can also lead to jaw problems eventually.

J.NEGLECTING DENTAL HYGIENE –

Dental hygiene comes last in many of our priority lists, many people do not consult a dentist until and unless there is some severe pain or swelling. Till that time the problem is too hard to handle.

A regular dental check-up is absolutely essential for maintaining good oral hygiene along with regular brushing and flossing.

These malpractices if kept in mind and corrected as early as possible can actually benefit us in the longer run.

REMEMBER, OUR ORAL CAVITY IS THE DOOR THAT OPENS INTO OUR BODY. DO WE EVER COMPROMISE WITH THE ENTRY DOOR OF OUR HOMES? NO, WE ALWAYS WOULD WANT THE STRONGEST OF PROTECTION FOR THE HOME, THEN WHY NOT OUR ORAL CAVITY.

KEEP IT CLEAN. TAKE CARE OF IT. PROTECT IT.

Stay healthy. Smile healthy!!

Source link –Oral healthcare