Everyday Habits That Can Negatively Affect Oral Health

At Brown & Gettings, DDS, we often speak about your oral and your overall health. We are committed to assisting our patients in restoring and maintaining their oral health over the course of their lives. Unfortunately, there are certain habits that can negatively affect their teeth and lead to serious complications with their oral health. We want to take a few moments to share what habits may be affecting your oral health so you can make the necessary changes as soon as possible:

Using Your Teeth as Tools
If you need to open a package or cut a tag, it can be very tempting to use your teeth in place of a pair of scissors or other tools. Although our teeth seem like a handy tool, using them inappropriately can cause them to break or chip. We suggest taking the extra time to find the right tool for the job.

Biting Your Nails
Nail biting is a common habit that can cause damage to your front teeth. Nail biting can also increase the amount of harmful bacteria in the mouth, leading to sores and other illnesses.

Snacking Throughout the Day
Each time we eat, we introduce bacteria into the mouth. Bacteria buildup stays on and between the teeth until it is removed by brushing and flossing and, even then, not everything is removed. The harmful bacteria left behind can lead to problems with decay. This is one of the reasons we suggest only eating at mealtimes.

Clenching and Grinding Teeth
Many patients are unaware they have this habit because it frequently occurs at night when they are asleep. Grinding and clenching your teeth can lead to worn teeth and cracked or broken rear molars.

If you are in the West Chester, OH or surrounding area and are concerned that any of these habits have already caused damage to your teeth, please call our office to schedule an appointment. We can work together to come up with a dental plan that is right for you and your needs. We look forward to seeing you soon!