Six Habits That Can Harm Our Oral Health

Good oral hygiene habits are essential for a healthy smile. Practicing good oral hygiene habits can help you prevent dental problems and maintain a healthy set of teeth.

• Not Flossing Regularly

Unfortunately, flossing isn't always at the top of people's to-do lists. Brushing and rinsing can remove much of the plaque and tartar that builds up on our teeth during the day, but ideally, we should also be flossing once a day as well. This is essential to remove plaque and tartar from regions where your toothbrush can't reach. When we skip this important step, food particles can get stuck between our teeth, and decay-causing bacteria can start to grow. This can lead to cavities and gum disease.

• Ignoring Regular Dental Cleanings

While brushing and flossing help, they can't remove all of the food particles, bacteria, plaque, tartar, and other buildups that accumulate between regular cleanings. This can lead to cavities, gum disease, and other oral health problems. That's why it's extremely important to keep up with your regular dental cleanings and exams. Regular dental cleanings make it possible to catch and treat any problems early before they become serious enough to require invasive and expensive procedures. They also give us a chance to teach you about proper oral hygiene at home and make recommendations for ways to improve your routine. Unfortunately, millions of people skip their bi-annual or annual appointments because of busy schedules or concerns about spending time in the dentist's office. As a result, they are more likely to suffer from tooth decay, gum disease, and more serious issues that require restorative dentistry treatments.

• Using Tobacco

There are many ways that tobacco can cause harm to our oral health, including oral cancer and gum disease. Smoking damages the soft tissue of the mouth, ultimately affecting the gums. The nicotine in cigarettes also restricts the flow of blood to the gums, which decreases their healing and regenerative abilities. Saliva is also an important component of the body's defense against bacteria in the mouth and throat, but smoking reduces the amount of saliva produced. This can lead to a greater risk of tooth decay and gum disease. In addition, people who smoke are more likely to suffer from bad breath due to dry mouth. For these reasons, quitting smoking is imperative for your oral health and overall wellness. 

• Drinking Alcohol In Excess

When we drink alcohol, our salivary glands produce less saliva than usual. When the body senses that there is less saliva in the mouth, it tries to make up for the lack of lubrication by drying out the mouth and throat. This can lead to bad breath and a dry mouth that can cause tooth decay or cavities. In addition, alcohol has a high sugar content that causes plaque to stick to the teeth, leading to bigger health issues. If you frequently consume alcoholic beverages, limit them to one or two servings per day and rinse your mouth afterward. 

• Chewing Ice And Hard Objects

Many people enjoy crunching on ice cubes or biting down on a hard candy from time to time, but did you know that these activities can actually harm your teeth? When you chew hard items, like ice or certain candies, your enamel gets worn down and weakened over time. This weakens your teeth and increases the likelihood of chipping or breaking a tooth.

• Using Teeth As Tools

Using teeth as tools to open packages can put a lot of stress on our teeth and can lead to fractures. Instead of using your teeth to open packages or crack nuts and bones, use a pair of scissors or a knife. Not only is this safer for your mouth, but it also prevents you from losing your perfectly straight smile.

Silicon Valley Dental Care, located in San Jose, CA, is equipped with the best dentists and modern technologies that enable the best dental care treatments for patients. Call us at (408) 224-1333 and schedule an appointment with the dentist to know more.