4 Bad Habits to Kick for the Sake of Your Smile

4 Bad Habits to Kick for the Sake of Your Smile!

There’s no such thing as a person searching for a worse smile. Nobody wants to see their teeth yellow or gums recede!  But protecting your smile is far more important than keeping your teeth pretty.  Besides the confidence you get from a gorgeous, gleaming smile, there are many other benefits to prioritizing your oral health.

The Mayo Clinic calls oral health a “window to your overall health,” because your mouth fends off harmful bacteria from the outside world.  By brushing and flossing daily, you’ll help keep this bacteria under control; however, if allowed to spread, oral bacteria has been linked to systemic complications that include diabetes, cardiovascular disease, pneumonia and even birth complications.

Protecting your smile is far more important than keeping your pearly whites pearly.  It’s about whole-body health. With all that in mind, here are some habits to consider quitting to protect your oral health.

1. Brushing too hard

One of the biggest myths of oral care is that brushing harder is better.  Scrub that bacteria off with vigor, right? Wrong!  Be careful about pressure you’re using during your twice-daily brushing sessions!  Brushing too hard wears down enamel and may cause gum recession, leaving your teeth even more exposed to bacteria.

Ease off the elbow grease, buy a soft-bristle toothbrush and focus on gentle sweeps of your teeth, not intense scrubbing.  Better still, invest in an electric toothbrush with sensors that can alert you to overzealous brushing.

2. Munching on ice cubes

When your drink is empty and there’s nothing left but the ice cubes, it might be tempting to pop one or two in your mouth and chomp down.  Try to avoid this habit!  Though you might not have issues for a long time, chewing ice cubes can eventually lead to chipped or irritated teeth.

The same goes for other hard foodstuffs, like hard candies.  Also, remember that your teeth aren’t tools.  Ripping open a bag of chips or carrying something between your teeth puts excess (avoidable) strain on them.

3. Solve your night grinding issue

Many people have a condition known as bruxism, which means they grind their teeth while they sleep – or even in moments of stress or frustration.  This condition can very quickly lead to oral health problems, which may result in even bigger issues for your overall health.

Bruxism takes a unique approach to resolve.  For some, it’s all about stress relief.  For others, wearing a night guard prevents the grinding that wears down teeth.  If you have bruxism or think you might be grinding your teeth at night, talk to your oral care specialist about a solution.

4. Overeating sugar

Sugary foods are delicious.  Who doesn’t love a good candy bar?  Who can resist a slice of cake when it’s offered?  No one, that’s who!  Of course, as with all things, consuming too much sugar is very bad for you.  One or two sugary snacks are fine, but try to avoid snacking on sugary substances throughout the day.

You should also keep an eye out for the ways sugar tries to sneak into the foods you eat every day, like carbonated beverages and fast food.  Regardless of how much sugar you consume, make sure to brush immediately afterward.  Too much sugar will rapidly deteriorate your oral health – and we all know the broader implications sugar has for our bodies.

Do your smile a favor

Kicking these habits isn’t just good for your smile, it’s good for your total body health.  Want more tips on how to keep your smile intact and your wellness in-check?  Chat with the experts at Levenson Periodontal Associates. Schedule an appointment today to discuss your smile and any concerns you have for it.