3 Habits That Can Lead To Smile Problems And Dental Damage

You may be surprised at how some of your daily behaviors can impact your smile, and how they can influence your oral health. Some of the decisions you make can have an obvious relevance to the condition of your teeth. For instance, your daily flossing habit, or your lack of flossing, can affect the chances you might need restorative dental care in the future. Your sugar intake can also play a part in determining your cavity risk. However, you should also be aware that any habits that inflict excess wear and tear on your teeth can lead to problems. You may find yourself with a chipped or cracked tooth, and you may worry about the cosmetic effect on your smile. The use of tobacco products can also affect your risk for gum disease, dental discoloration, and your chances of developing oral cancer.

1. Grinding Your Teeth

Some people will grind their teeth while they sleep. This problem, bruxism, can lead to serious dental harm. Your dentist can offer help through a mouth guard that protects your teeth during rest.

2. Casually Chewing On Hard Surfaces

If you have a nervous habit based around chewing hard substances, you could be putting yourself at risk for dental damage. Biting down on an ice cube, or the cap of your pen, could leave you with a tooth injury that requires a dental crown.

3. Using Tobacco Products

Tobacco products raise your risk for common dental problems, but they also make you more likely to experience oral cancer. You can better protect your oral health, and your general health, by eliminating this habit. In addition to hurting your health, tobacco products can stain your teeth to the point that a professional whitening treatment is needed to restore how they look.

Talk To My Dentist If You Need To Address Dental Damage

At My Dentist in Londonderry, NH, you can receive excellent support for any problem that affects your oral health. In addition to providing restorative and cosmetic care, you can benefit from regular checkups, which will help you stay on top of your oral health needs. You can schedule a consultation with one of our experts by reaching the My Dentist office in Londonderry, NH, today at (603) 965-3407.