Bad Habits That Can Damage Our Oral Health

Good oral hygiene habits play a very important role in keeping your teeth clean and healthy. By practicing good oral hygiene, you can prevent many dental problems, including cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. However, 

• Skipping Dental Appointments

When you skip your dental hygiene appointments, you open yourself up to tooth decay and gum disease. Both of these can cause symptoms that you may not feel right away, but over time, the decay and bacteria will cause you to suffer from pain and tooth damage. The infection can also spread to your gums and bone, causing even more complications.

By making and keeping your regular appointments, you can avoid these problems and protect your smile. If you are nervous about your appointments for any reason, let us know so we can try to help you feel more comfortable and relaxed during your appointments. 

• Not Brushing, Flossing, and Rinsing Properly

Failing to brush your teeth thoroughly can cause plaque to form on your teeth and between teeth, which can lead to cavities and other gum issues. Proper brushing should take at least two minutes at a time, paying close attention to your upper and lower back molars, where plaque tends to accumulate the most. You should brush each tooth individually and spend extra time along the gum line in order to remove food particles that can get trapped there.

Additionally, failing to floss daily can lead to gum disease. When flossing at home, make sure you wrap the floss around your fingers and gently scrape along each side of each tooth. This will get rid of any plaque and food debris from between the teeth and under the gumline. Make sure you also floss behind the back molars since these areas tend to be the most difficult to reach. Lastly, rinsing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash after brushing and flossing can help kill any remaining bacteria in your mouth. Look for one that also contains fluoride for an extra layer of protection.

• Using Your Teeth as Tools

Many people use their teeth to bite down on objects to open packages, loosen knots in string and rubber bands, and remove tags from clothing. These actions may cause your teeth to chip, break, or wear down over time and can also result in the need for a root canal to fix that tooth. It’s best to avoid using your teeth for these purposes and instead find something suitable to use instead. 

Additionally, biting into hard items like a pencil or pen can also cause similar damage. Where cracks are severe enough, it can lead to nerve exposure and the need for root canal treatment. 

• Nail Biting

While nail biting may be a minor habit that many of us do without even thinking about it, it can be damaging to our oral health over time. When we bite down on our nails, we push almost the entire length of our fingernails into our mouths. This puts a huge amount of pressure on our soft tissues as well as our teeth. Over time, it can contribute to cavities and gum recession. It can also lead to chips and cracks in our teeth.

• Aggressive Brushing

When you brush your teeth too hard, it can damage your tooth enamel as well as your gums. Over time, the gums will recede and change shape. This will leave your teeth vulnerable to decay and infection. Your dentist can examine your mouth to see if you have this bad habit. If so, he will most likely recommend that you use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time.

If you need to schedule an appointment with us, please call 541.928.6622 or visit us at 1123 Hill Street SE, Suite A, Albany, OR 97322. Please contact us at office@albanydentalhealth.com if you require any additional information.