Dentists Explain 7 Habits That Ruin Your Teeth and Gums (And How to Fix It)

Your oral health has huge impact on your overall health. Taking a good care of your oral cavity will help you prevent diabetes, heart attack and stroke.

Poor oral hygiene creates perfect ground for bacteria, and you end up leading with gingivitis, periodontitis and trench mouth. It may lead to loss of teeth, gum disease or even cardiovascular disease.

We give you seven habits that affect and damage your teeth:

1. Opening things

You can’t use your teeth to open bags, soda cans and other items. This may break your teeth.

2. Tobacco

Tobacco increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Tobacco also stains your teeth.

3. Bite your nails

Millions of bacteria build up in your oral cavity, and biting your nails bring these bacteria in your mouth.

4. Piercings (cheek, lip and tongue)

The Canadian Dental Association confirms that piercings lead to chronic injury and adjacent teeth and mucosa. You may end up deal with tooth fracture, and gum recession.

5. Acidic foods

Acidic foods damages tooth enamel, increasing your risk of cavities and oral disease.

6. Clenching the jaw and grinding the teeth

These two are caused by stress. Clenching your jaws and grinding your teeth increases your risk of misaligned jaw and deterioration of your teeth.

7. Sugar

Sugar increases the levels of bacteria and toxins in your body. Avoid throat lozenges as they contain a lot of sugar.

Reverse damage to teeth and gums

Brush your teeth twice a day and floss at least once every day. Go to your dentist if you have noticed any gum recession. Cut down the following unhealthy habits:

  • Binge eating
  • Brushing aggressively
  • Chewing ice
  • Excessive consumption of coffee and wine
  • Snacks
  • Chewing pencils and pens
  • Playing sports without proper protection.

Eat cucumbers instead of your unhealthy snacks. They are healthy and contain healthy nutrients.

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