4 Bad Habits That Could Be Ruining Your Dental Health

Good dental care habits help you maintain good oral health. Bad habits, on the other hand, can wreak havoc on your oral health and cause a range of problems. Listed below are a few bad dental habits that can damage your oral health.

• Nail Biting

Nail biting causes damage to your teeth due to stress placed on the jaw and excessive pressure on the enamel. It can also cause infections in the cuticle or soft tissues of your mouth. Nail biting can lead to changes in your bite alignment and temporomandibular joint disorder. This can cause headaches and migraines as well as pain in your jaw joints. Your teeth can also be damaged from trauma caused by repeatedly chewing on your fingernails. This can chip or damage the enamel of your teeth. It is important to break the habit as soon as possible to prevent damage and potential tooth loss. Talk to your dentist about ways to break the habit.

• Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding is another bad habit that can damage your health by causing damage to your teeth and jaw. According to research from the American Academy of Periodontology, about 35 percent of adults grind their teeth at night. Though most are not aware they’re doing it, teeth grinding can trigger jaw joint problems. It can also cause headaches, earaches, chipped or cracked teeth, and sensitive gums. If this goes on for long enough, it can also cause you to have shorter and more worn-down teeth and, in turn, tooth loss. The condition can also cause tooth sensitivity and painful jaw syndrome, which impacts the health of your temporomandibular joint. In order to prevent damage from teeth grinding, it is important to talk to your dentist about treatment options, such as wearing a mouth guard at night while you sleep. 

• Smoking

Smoking is one of the worst habits that can affect your oral health—and overall health! According to the American Dental Association, pregnant women who smoke are more likely to have a premature baby or one with low birth weight. In addition, it has also been linked to gum disease and oral cancer. If you’re a smoker, be sure to visit the dentist more often; you are more prone to tooth discoloration and yellowed fillings due to nicotine. And, of course, quitting smoking is the best choice for your overall health, including your oral and dental health. Talk to your dentist about available treatments for quitting smoking. He or she will be able to work with you to develop a strategy for quitting that is tailored to your individual needs. 

• Not Visiting Your Dentist Regularly

When you don’t visit your dentist regularly, you miss the chance to prevent cavities and gum disease during regular checkups. Also, it’s harder to tell if you’re having an oral health problem when you’re not seeing the dentist regularly. Your dentist can detect early signs of oral cancer or diabetes through oral exams. In some cases, these patients don’t even show symptoms. Early detection of these conditions is essential to increase the chances of successful treatment. Skipping your recommended cleanings and checkups can also lead to worse problems down the road. For example, when tooth decay is left untreated, it can lead to the development of inflammation in the gum tissue, eventually causing gum recession, bone loss, and tooth loss.

Call us at 949.209.8889 or schedule an online appointment with Dr. Jocelynn for a consultation at our office in Mission Viejo, CA.