We all have bad habits. Whether it’s sleeping in too late each morning, smoking or sipping a little too much wine, it’s safe to say that our routines sometimes run our lives. But some of these bad habits can not only affect our good habits, but also something more precious: our oral health. Here is a list of five bad habits that could be ruining your oral health.
Nail Biting
Nail biting isn’t just bad for your fingernails – it’s bad for your entire body. When you bite your nails, you are welcoming cuts and tears to the skin, which could cause infection in your fingers and nails. It can also cause serious damage and wear to your teeth. The teeth weren’t meant to chew on something as hard as fingernails, so after time they begin to wear down with continued misuse. This can cause chipped or cracked teeth too!
Sugary Drinks
A Gallup Poll recently found that about 48 percent of Americans drink soda, to the tune of 2.6 servings of the sugary beverage per day! That’s about 97 grams of sugar per day – just on soda! Soda isn’t just bad for your teeth, either. It can contribute to obesity and diabetes. So if you are one of those 48 percent of soda drinkers, reconsider your habit and switch to water.
Chewing on Pens
When you get bored or stressed, do you sometimes chew your pen or pencil? It’s not as uncommon as you think! In fact, an estimated 33 percent of people chew on pens. If you’re one of them, stop! Pens are as bad as fingernails. They’re too hard for your teeth to chew on, and they can cause damage. Plus, why ruin a perfectly good pen?
Not Brushing and Flossing Regularly
We get it – life gets pretty busy sometimes. But that’s no excuse for not taking care of your oral health. Remember, brushing twice a day for at least two minutes at a time and flossing at least once a day is the recommended routine for brushing your teeth.
Skipping Dental Exams
It’s natural to be nervous about going to the dentist. Hands in your mouth, all those tools, the potential for cavities and root canals. But your semi-annual cleaning isn’t meant to scare you, it’s meant to get your teeth clean and prevent any problems from getting worse and nipping them in the bud! After all, the longer you put off treatment, the more likely you are to need more severe intervention like extractions or crowns.
Remember, bad habits don’t have to ruin your teeth. In fact, bad habits are meant to be broken. If you need help with quitting your bad habits, speak to Dr. Mingus about some tips to help you stop.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Mingus, please call the office at 541-382-6565.