Do You Have These 3 Bad Oral Health Habits?

Do you sometimes partake of some bad dental health habits like chewing ice, biting your nails, or even brushing your teeth too hard? The health and safety of our patients is our first priority here at Lee, Bonfiglio, Vesely & Associates. Our entire Annapolis, MD dental office understands how important building good oral health habits is to maintaining a healthy smile. The aforementioned bad habits can lead to problems like swollen gums, bleeding gums, or even cracked teeth. Let’s talk about these bad oral habits and how to break them.

1. Biting Your Nails

Nail biting is a common habit that some people may not even realize they have. However, using your teeth to nibble on your nail tips can cause stress on the jaw and could even chip the teeth, depending on the pressure used and whether your teeth are already fragile due to an underlying condition. When you bite your nails, you stick your jaw out at an unnatural angle which may cause headaches and discomfort. Many patients bite their nails from stress, so addressing the underlying cause can help you avoid the habit.

2. Chewing Ice Cubes or Hard Objects

Even though ice melts pretty quickly, it is still hard enough to crack and break teeth if chewed. Breaking a tooth is even more likely if you have fillings or crowns because the tooth has already been compromised and is not designed to handle extremely hard substances like ice. Hard candies or mints are also a risk to chew and should be allowed to melt in your mouth instead of  being chewed. So to avoid tooth sensitivity and fractures, avoid chewing on ice.

3. Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the body, but remember that the gums are more sensitive and should be treated gently. Prolonged forceful brushing may cause bleeding or swollen gums, which can lead to receding gum line as well as damaging tooth enamel. You should use an ADA-approved soft bristle toothbrush with an ADA-approved toothpaste to ensure your teeth stay healthy.

Annapolis, MD Dentist

If you find that your habits are leading to tooth damage, or you have other pressing dental concerns, contact us by calling (410) 989-8298. You may also schedule an appointment with our team online.