Some of your daily habits or routines can have a negative impact on your oral health. By paying attention to these habits, you can figure out ways to keep your teeth healthy and happy.
Teeth grinding
Bruxism, otherwise known as teeth grinding and clenching, can be caused by stress or can happen during sleep, unknowingly. If you suspect you grind your teeth, ask your dentist about using a night guard. This can help prevent damage to tooth enamel.
Chewing on ice
This habit may seem harmless, but crunching on ice can have adverse effects on your teeth. Ice is hard enough to chip or fracture teeth. This is especially important to avoid if you’ve had dental work and fillings done recently. When consuming iced drinks, try using a straw to avoid the temptation to crunch on ice cubes.
Consuming sugary beverages
Regularly sipping on sugary beverages can lead to discoloration, cavities and eroded tooth enamel. The best way to prevent this is to limit consumption of sugary beverages or use a straw when drinking to avoid contact with your teeth. Drinking water after consuming sugary drinks or food can also help wash those sugar particles away so they don’t stick around on your teeth.
Skipping brushing or flossing
Be strict with yourself when it comes to your oral hygiene. It may be tempting to skip brushing or flossing when you’re traveling or extra tired, but don’t let it become a habit. All those nights you skip brushing your teeth can add up. Don’t let plaque buildup on or between your teeth. Keep up with your regular flossing and brushing no matter how busy life gets!
Waiting to schedule dentist appointments
Don’t push off your dentist’s appointments for too long. Prioritize your smile by booking your next appointment every time you go in for a cleaning. If it’s been a while since you visited the dentist, schedule an appointment with Jackson Dental today by calling 573-243-5200 or visiting our office on 3100 E Jackson Blvd. in Jackson.