We all know the importance of looking after our teeth, but there are times when we could be putting them at risk. Eating too many sweets is obviously problematic; in addition, there are other things we might do on a daily basis that could also put our healthy teeth at risk!
Consider the following. If any of these daily habits relate to you, now is the time to break them, perhaps with a visit to your dentist if you suspect you may have already harmed your teeth.
Habit #1: Using your teeth as a tool
Do you use your teeth to open plastic bags or other types of containers? Do you use them to snap labels off your newly-bought items of clothing? These are just a couple of things many of us do with our teeth, but by doing so, we risk chipping them. If any of our teeth are wobbly, we might even lose them when we bite into something we shouldn’t. Use scissors instead of your teeth! This way, you will preserve your molars and maintain your eye-catching smile.
Habit #2: Failing to brush before going to bed
We should brush our teeth at least twice a day to remove any food and sugar that has accumulated after eating. But when we’re feeling tired right before bedtime, some of us decide to hit the pillow without brushing our teeth first. This is problematic because bacteria will quickly grow in our mouths while sleeping and this will increase the chances of a build-up of acid that can cause tooth decay and gum inflammation. So, no matter how tired you feel, give your teeth a good brush before you catch some shut-eye.
Habit #3: Using an old toothbrush
When did you last change your toothbrush? Dentists advise a change of toothbrush every 3-4 months so if you haven’t changed yours in a while, now might be the time to do so. You will know you need to change it if the bristles no longer stand up straight or if any of the bristles are missing. Your toothbrush will lose its effectiveness if you spot such signs and as such, you will struggle to clean your teeth effectively.
Habit #4: Brushing your teeth too hard
The harder you brush the more plaque you will remove, right? Not necessarily as you don’t need to imply a lot of force on your teeth when you’re brushing. Provided you floss and brush twice a day at least, and use the correct toothpaste, you will still remove the plaque without overbrushing. When you do brush your teeth too firmly, you run the risk of damaging the enamel on your teeth and you could cause gum irritation too. Be careful then and perhaps switch to a soft-bristled toothbrush if your dentist advises it.
These are just a few of the daily habits many people are guilty of but we could have listed a lot more. For the protection of your teeth, be as careful as you can, and speak to your dentist for their professional advice on how to practice proper dental care.
Thank you for reading!
