Dallas Dentist Advice: Break These Bad Habits

In one of our previous blogs, we discussed some bad oral health habits that your Dallas dentist suggest you break, such as smoking, grinding teeth, drinking sugary drinks, and biting your nails. Today, we’re discussing some more bad habits that you should break for optimum oral health. Remember, one of the best ways to reverse damage from previous bad habits is regular checkups with your Dallas dentist at Lynn Dental Care.

Crunching Ice

Although it might be satisfying, crunching ice can be really bad for your teeth. The hardness and coldness of ice can cause damage to the enamel. Ice is harder than you might think, and your tooth has to fight to crunch through it. Sometimes this can lead to chipping or damage to fillings, crowns, and more. This habit is especially bad if you have braces. Chewing ice with braces can cause brackets to break.

Brushing Too Hard

Even though brushing your teeth is essential for oral health, it’s possible to brush too hard. Remember, you don’t need to forcefully scrub your teeth to get them clean. In fact, doing this can irritate your teeth and gums. Brushing gently in small circular motions is plenty to keep your teeth clean and healthy. A soft bristled toothbrush can help prevent this habit. Ask your Dallas dentist at Lynn Dental Care for a toothbrush at your next appointment if you don’t have a good one.

Don’t Use Your Teeth as a Tool

Your teeth weren’t made for anything other than eating and speaking. You shouldn’t use them to open a bag of chips, or even worse, as a bottle opener. When you use your teeth for these things, you risk cracking or chipping them. You couldn’t even cause damage to your jaw. Use your teeth for their original purpose, and use tools for these other tasks instead.

Don’t Chew on Your Pencil

It can be easy to absentmindedly chew on pens, pencils, and more while you’re at work. Unfortunately, this fidget can cause damage to your tooth enamel. Chewing incessantly on these things wears the enamel down. Try occupying your hands with something else, like a stress ball, or chew some sugar-free gum.

Contact Your Dallas Dentist

If you have some bad dental habits, ask your Dallas dentist what you can do to combat them. Lynn Dental Care specializes in professional dental care and patient satisfaction. To schedule an appointment with your Dallas dentist, contact Lynn Dental Care today.