Are you guilty of some bad dental health habits like chewing ice, biting your nails, or even brushing your teeth too hard? Patient health and safety is our priority here at the Asheville, NC periodontics office of Dr. Jody Harrison, and our entire team understands how important it is to build good oral health habits. These bad habits can lead to problems like swollen gums, bleeding gums, or even cracked teeth. Let’s talk about how to break these bad oral health habits.
1. Chewing Ice Cubes or Hard Objects
Did you know that even though ice melts pretty quickly, it can still crack and break teeth if chewed? A broken tooth is even more likely if you have a filling or a crown because the tooth has already been compromised and is not designed to handle extreme force like ice. Also be careful of chewing hard candies or mints and allow them to melt in your mouth instead of chewing on them to make them smaller. You can avoid tooth sensitivity and tooth fracture by avoiding chewing on ice.
2. Biting Your Nails
Nail biting is a common habit that many people don’t realize they have. It can cause stress on the jaw and may chip the teeth, depending on the pressure used and whether your teeth are already fragile due to an underlying condition. When you bite your nails, you protrude your jaw at an unnatural angle which may cause headaches and discomfort. Many patients bite their nails from stress, so addressing the stress can help avoid the habit.
3. Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard
Teeth are strong, but remember that the gums are more sensitive and should be treated gently. Prolonged forceful brushing may cause bleeding or swollen gums, which may lead you to suspect you have gum disease when it’s just from brushing too hard. This can also lead to receding gum line. Use an ADA-approved soft bristle toothbrush with an ADA-approved toothpaste to keep your gums healthy.
Asheville, NC Periodontal Dentist
If you find that your habits are leading to tooth damage, or you have other pressing dental concerns, contact us by calling (828) 255-8100. You may also schedule an appointment with our team online.