Top 8 “Unknown” Habits That Can Hurt Your Smile
Over 90% of those surveyed say the smile is the first thing they notice about others.
A stunning smile conveys a wealth of information in one second—happiness, confidence, warmth, and attractiveness can all shine through an easy, attractive smile. Underlying a stunning smile is a stunning set of teeth.
Sometimes, however, habits that we rarely think about can damage the health of our teeth and the appearance of our smile without us even knowing it.
Some of your habits may create dental problems you are unaware of. Your West Ryde dentist is here to point out some bad habits and help you root them out!
Check out some of these bad habits and learn how to control them before you cause unnecessary damage to your teeth or oral health.
Harmful Daily Habits
Using your teeth as tools
Opening packages, prying lids off bottles, or tearing things with your teeth are all ways to damage your teeth. These habits cause cracks and chips that can lead to worse dental damage.
Don’t use your teeth as tools. Instead, use scissors or bottle openers to do the hard work so your teeth don’t have to.
Chewing things other than food
Many people chew on hard objects, particularly pens or pencils. However, chewing on a pencil or pen, or anything that shouldn’t be in your mouth, can crack teeth or cause them to chip.
To stop chewing on these kinds of items, just think of all the unsanitary places they are stored. Your desk, backpack, and pencil holders are all extremely unclean, and you don’t want to track their dirt, grime, or germs into your mouth.
Many people believe it is safe to chew ice. It’s only made of water, after all.
What could be more innocent? And it doesn’t contain sugar or other bad additives for teeth. However, chewing on hard substances can leave your teeth vulnerable to a dental emergency and damage enamel.
The contrasts in temperature it causes can quickly lead teeth or fillings to chip or crack.
If you have to chew something, chew sugarless gum. Gum is soft, increases saliva flow, washes away leftover bacteria, and re-mineralises teeth.
“Exercise” Caution
Cardiovascular Exercise
Vigorous exercise has been proven to improve your health— except perhaps for the health of your teeth. This news is based on a surprising study of athletes in The Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports. The survey discovered that intense cardiovascular training may lead to dental problems.
During heavy exercise, the amount of saliva that athletes produce progressively drops. Their mouths dry up, whether they have consumed liquids or not.
Saliva’s chemical composition also shifts, becoming increasingly alkaline. Excessively alkaline saliva leads to tartar on teeth and other dental problems.
Impact Exercise.
When Australian boxer Jeff Horn won the WBO Welterweight Championship, he was able to celebrate with a smile!
This is because he had a custom-made mouthguard, which protected him from damage.
If you play high-impact sports, be like Jeff. Visit us at My Local Dentists and have us fit you with a custom mouthguard to protect your dental health!
Exercise in Pools
The chemicals in swimming pools, particularly chlorine, are linked to enamel erosion. The Journal of the Canadian Dental Association reports that regular swimming over more than 8 months can cause rapid increases in dental erosion and sensitivity.
If you swim, try to keep excess water out of your mouth and use less chlorinated pools.
Dental Health Habits that can turn into Negatives
Overbrushing
Some people brush multiple times a day – especially after meals. But that post-meal brushing can damage your teeth.
After eating acidic foods or drinks, acid burns into the enamel of your teeth and the layer below the enamel, called ‘dentin’. Brushing within 30 minutes of a meal can force the acid deeper into your teeth, leading to permanent damage.
Brushing too hard
According to a study by professionals at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne’s School of Dental Sciences and the Centre for Health Services Research, people who brush longer and harder put their teeth at risk.
Brush gently with a soft-bristled brush at 45 degrees to your gumline, or consider purchasing an electric toothbrush.
Oral Health in West Ryde
At My Local Dentists, we provide personalised service. All our dentists are highly motivated, accredited practitioners with graduate degrees from the University of Sydney.
Along with the dentists, the supporting staff at My Local Dentists are highly dedicated and experienced in ensuring each visit with us is as comfortable as possible.
Special Offer for New Patients
GAP FREE
- General Check-up
- Scale and Clean
- X-rays and Fluoride treatment (with any health insurance)
Call your West Ryde dentist on (02) 9809 7000 or book your appointment online TODAY!
We are located at Shop 20 West Ryde Marketplace, 14 Anthony Road in West Ryde.