Many people don’t realize that some of their most common habits can negatively affect their oral health. While these practices may seem harmless, they can lead to severe issues in the long run. Listed below are some bad oral habits that can damage our oral health.

• Nail Biting

When a person is anxious or bored, it is common for them to bite their nails. However, this can be damaging to the teeth and gums over time. When your teeth come in contact with the fingertips, they can become worn and start to look raggedy. Over time, this can lead to sensitive teeth and tooth decay. Also, when you bite your nails, you risk breaking a tooth or chipping it. This can cause sharp pain that will need to be fixed by your dentist. Your enamel can also become weaker with continued nail biting. When the enamel wears away, it can cause pain and sensitivity because the inner layers of the teeth will be exposed, leading to cavities.

• Smoking

Cigarettes and other forms of tobacco are terrible for your oral health in a number of ways. One is that they cause bad breath. Second, they stain your teeth. Third, they are a leading cause of oral cancers. Fourth, they can contribute to gum disease by affecting the gum tissue’s ability to keep bacteria out. Fifth, the chemicals in cigarettes can weaken your enamel, making your teeth more susceptible to decay. Finally, nicotine is harmful to your gums because it constricts blood flow to the gums and makes them more likely to recede.

When it comes to quitting cigarettes for good, there are several actions you can take to help yourself succeed. First, talk to your doctor about medications they recommend to help you quit smoking. Some medicines that can be helpful include nicotine gum, patches, nasal sprays, inhalers, or prescription pills. Additionally, replace cigarettes with something else, such as chewing gum or chocolate.

• Aggressive Tooth Brushing

While proper oral hygiene can help prevent cavities and gum disease, aggressive or improper dental care can cause plenty of problems for your teeth and oral health! For example, if you brush your teeth too forcefully, you can damage your tooth enamel and gum tissues. By brushing too hard, you can actually wear down your protective layers of tooth enamel over time. When you brush, you should gently massage your teeth to clean them rather than scrubbing back and forth too hard. Brushing your teeth more than three times a day can actually do more harm than good. If you brush too much, you risk wearing down your enamel and increase the risk of gum irritation.

• Teeth Grinding

Many people grind their teeth at night without even knowing it! This condition is called bruxism. People with bruxism tend to clench their jaw and grind their teeth as they sleep. It can cause severe wear and tear on your teeth as well as headaches and pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). If you suffer from frequent headaches or pain in your jaw, it’s important to visit your dentist to find out if you may also be suffering from bruxism. If untreated, the condition can lead to damaged teeth and TMJ problems.

Your dentist may recommend a night guard to help protect your teeth from excessive wear during sleep caused by bruxism. A night guard is a customized mouthguard that is worn while you sleep to prevent damage to your teeth.

At Point Loma Family Dentistry, our team is dedicated to providing you with excellent dental care in a relaxing atmosphere. To know more about treatments offered by our dentist, call us at (619) 223-3811 and schedule an appointment to visit the dental practice.