5 Bad Dental Habits Harming Your Good Dental Care

If you want to maintain a good smile, you need to practice good dental care. Unfortunately, some bad dental habits can get in the way. Find out how to cure bad dental habits today.

1. Turning Teeth into Tools

Do you ever use your teeth to tear off a price tag, open a bottle cap, or hold a pen? These are actually bad dental habits that can do major damage to your teeth. When it comes to how to cure bad dental habits like these, dental care experts advise keeping actual tools nearby to avoid the temptation of using your teeth.

2. Grinding Your Teeth

Many kids and adults develop the habit of grinding their teeth during the day or at night. This is actually a dental care disorder called bruxism and it can cause cracked teeth, tooth enamel erosion, jaw pain, headaches, and more. It’s often due to anxiety or stress and many people don’t even realize they’re doing it. To correct this harmful habit, your dentist can create a mouth guard for you to wear at night to prevent the grinding. To get to the root of the problem, it can help to talk to a psychologist and ask about ways to better cope with your stress or tension.

3. Being Tough with Your Toothbrush

In an effort to brush better, some people brush harder or use a hard-bristled toothbrush. Yet this can erode your tooth enamel and push back your gums, causing extreme sensitivity. To stop being so hard on your teeth, start using a soft-bristled toothbrush and a more gentle touch to carefully clean your teeth.

4. Chewing Ice and Drinking Damaging Beverages

Chewing on ice cubes is a common habit that can cause teeth to chip, crack, and break. And sipping on sugary or acidic beverages can erode tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay. Want to know how to cure bad dental habits like these? Simply choose something healthier to chew, like apples or carrots, and switch to crushed ice in drinks. And try to limit your intake of highly sugary and acidic drinks, or at least sip them through a straw that’s positioned far behind your teeth to reduce their chance of contact.

5. Deficient Dental Care

Many people claim they don’t have the time or they’re too tired to practice good dental care. That’s when bad dental habits can develop. Luckily, good oral hygiene is as fast and easy as brushing twice a day, flossing once a day, and getting regular professional cleanings. For the best results from your dental care regimen, remember to replace your toothbrush every three or four months and ask your dentist for tips on proper flossing.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Peoria, call Maple Shade Dental Group today or make an appointment.