You know the drill: brush, floss, visit your Lombard, IL dentist regularly, and try to stay away from the sweet stuff. But taking good care of your teeth encompasses a lot more than that. Proper oral care mean stopping bad dental habits in their tracks when they start to become part of your routine. Harmful habits for your teeth, like the four listed below, can damage your teeth and gums and negatively impact your oral health. Follow Dr. Julie Glud’s advice and make it a point to halt these habits to ensure healthier, stronger teeth in 2019 and the future.
When it comes to protecting your teeth through thorough preventive care treatments, trust your smile to Dr. Julie Glud, dentist in Lombard, IL. If you’re looking for gentle, professional dental care in the Lombard area, our practice is currently accepting new patients! Let us help you discover more ways to protect, restore, and improve your smile. Schedule a consultation by calling 630-629-5700.
Brushing Too Hard
Brushing your teeth is a critical step in preventing tooth decay and periodontal disease, but did you know there is a right way — and wrong way — to brush? By putting too much pressure on teeth, especially with a hard-bristled tooth brush, you can slowly erode enamel and even contribute to receding gum lines. Always use a gentle touch when brushing; plaque is easily removed with little pressure from your brush. It’s a good rule of thumb that if your brush bristles are flattened against your teeth and gums when you brush, you should ease up the pressure. Also, if you’re using a hard-bristled brush, swap it out for a new soft-bristled brush, like one of these that are recommended by the American Dental Association. Your enamel will thank you!
Biting Your Nails
Tooth enamel is the strongest biological substance, but it’s never a good idea to put it to the test by biting your nails. This bad habit not only can chip or erode away the edge of teeth, but it also can lead to jaw issues. This is because biting your nails requires your lower jaw to move forward, out of alignment. Frequent nail biting can lead to jaw soreness or other alignment issues which could require treatment. For the sake of your teeth, jaws, and nails, learn to break the mindless habit. Try using a special nail polish formulated for nail-biters which makes nails taste unpleasant when you get the urge to bite.
Skipping Nightly Dental Care
When it’s been a long day, skipping brushing and flossing in favor of heading to bed early might sound pretty good. But skipping nightly brushings is more harmful than you may think. When you skip brushing your teeth, food particles and plaque accumulated from a day of eating are still left in the mouth during the eight or so hours while you sleep. The bacteria found in plaque is free to feed on the starches left behind on teeth and gums, releasing harmful acids that erode tooth enamel and can lead to tooth decay and periodontal disease. Remember those harmful bacteria next time you think about hitting the hay before a quick tooth brushing. It may help to start brushing right after dinner to hold yourself accountable.
Night-time Grinding and Clenching
Sometimes, the stress of daily activities and worries about tomorrow can bleed over into our sleep, leading to night-time teeth grinding and clenching. This condition is called bruxism. Patients who regularly suffer from night-time bruxism can inflict serious damage to teeth and the jaw, as TMJ pain and disorders are commonly linked to nighttime bruxism. If you wake up with headaches, a sore or stiff jaw, or sensitive teeth, you could be subconsciously grinding while asleep. It’s important to seek treatment from Dr. Glud immediately to be fitted for a night guard which prevents grinding from occurring.
Contact your Lombard, IL dentist today!
To schedule your next dental cleaning and examination, or to learn more about what steps you can take to protect your smile, contact Dental Care of Lombard!
