There have been significant advancements in dental practices over the past 100 years. It’s the reason why an increasing number of people are keeping their teeth into old age. Of course, to achieve this and to maintain your own health, it is essential to know what things are bad for your oral health and to avoid them.
Alongside this, you should make sure you brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes at a time. Flossing daily and visiting a good dentist Ballan at least once a year is also essential.
Here are 5 things that are bad for your oral health and you should avoid:
Drinking Soda
You probably already know that soda is full of sugar and that’s not good for your health. Sugar reacts with bacteria in your mouth and creates acid. This attacks the enamel on your teeth and creates cavities.
Soda has a very high sugar content, making it a terrible drink choice and one that should be avoided.
This also applies to diet sodas as, although they are missing the sugar, they have sweeteners and acids that can do similar damage.
Snacking
Snacking between meals is similar to drinking soda. It increases the amount of sugar in your mouth and the likelihood of cavities. It’s better to eat at regular meal times and brush your teeth afterward. Failing that, you can rinse with water to help dilute any acid.
Snacking is bad for your oral health and for your waistline.
Eating Ice
If you are enjoying an ice-cold drink then it’s tempting to crunch on the ice cubes. They are cold, refreshing, and it seems like the right thing to do.
However, ice is very strong, and biting down on it can damage the enamel coating on your teeth. It can even cause you to crack your teeth. Both of these things increase the likelihood of cavities and other oral health issues.
Biting Nails
Biting your nails has a similar effect to chewing on ice. Nails are also a very strong substance and this is likely to cause damage to your teeth. Don’t forget that while a dentist can fill cavities and do a lot of impressive dental work, they can’t replace the enamel once you’ve damaged and lost it.
If you have a nail-biting habit you’ll need to try to keep your hands busy with something else, such as a stress ball.
Brushing Too Hard
It’s essential to brush your teeth every day as this is the most effective way to remove food debris and prevent the build-up of plaque. However, if you brush too hard you are likely to damage the enamel on your teeth and your gums. This will increase the likelihood of gum disease and cavities.
It’s best to hold your toothbrush with just one finger and your thumb, this will help to prevent you from using excessive force and help to keep your teeth healthy.
