5 Common Bad Habits That Ruin Your Teeth

 Your mouth is the entry point for digestion and a fascinating marvel. It contains more bacteria than the human population on Earth, it produces a liter of saliva daily, and your teeth are as unique as fingerprints. However, it is also home to tooth decay, which is one of the reasons dental hygiene is so important.

Even if you’re brushing and flossing your teeth daily, you might still have a few bad habits that impact your oral health. Let’s look at some examples.

Residents of Miami Lakes, Florida, looking for ways to improve their dental health can get help from Dr. Laura Llanos and our team at Llanos Dental Group.

Bad dental habits

Here are just some habits that harm your teeth:

1. Too many sugary treats

Whether you eat candy and cookies or drink sodas and juices, the sugar in these foods and drinks combines with the harmful bacteria in your mouth to erode the important enamel on your teeth.

2. Not using teeth properly

You might chew on the ice cubes in your cup when the drink is finished, but you shouldn’t. It increases the risk of cracking or breaking teeth, and if you have fillings, it can damage them. The same problem arises from opening things with your teeth, so avoid doing that as well.

3. Using tobacco products

Tobacco is a harmful substance that damages teeth through an increased risk of tooth decay, gum disease, dry mouth, halitosis (bad breath), and oral cancer.

4. Using toothpicks

These little wooden sticks are available at many restaurants, and you likely have some at home. While they are designed to remove food from between teeth, they also carry the risk of infecting gums, which can lead to tooth damage.

5. Avoiding dental visits

Unfortunately, many people avoid routine preventive dental visits. But you shouldn’t. When you schedule regular visits with us, we can catch issues before they become significant problems. 

Start these good habits

Here are some things you can do to reduce your risk of damaging your teeth:

• Proper hygiene: brush twice daily, floss regularly, use mouthwash, and use fluoride toothpaste

• Brush your tongue: get at all the places plaque can build on, including your tongue

• Improve your diet: reduce your intake of sugary and acidic foods, and eat more fruits and vegetables

• Drink more water: water helps to remove sticky substances from teeth and promotes saliva production

• Routine dental checkups: making the trip to our office means improved dental health

It can be challenging to undo habits you’ve developed over the years. However, it is possible, and it will make a significant difference in the health of your teeth. 

Make an appointment with Dr. Llanos and our team at Llanos Dental Group today to find out the best ways to preserve your dental health.