Keep Your Teeth Healthy
At the Yuba City Dentistry Group, we want all of our patients to have a happy and healthy smile. We recommend regular visits for checkups and cleaning, in addition to good home care with brushing and flossing, for healthy, beautiful teeth. However, there are many things you do every day that are damaging to your teeth if done incorrectly or too frequently. Therefore, our Yuba City dental team recommends avoiding the following habits to support long-term oral health.
Do Not Bite Your Nails
Biting your nails may seem harmless, but it puts unnecessary strain on your teeth and jaw while also bringing bacteria from your hands into your mouth. Over time, this habit can lead to chipped teeth, jaw soreness, and oral infections. If you have a difficult time breaking your nail-biting habit, try healthier alternatives. Some chew sugar-free gum or keep their hands busy when feeling stressed. Be patient with yourself. Set realistic goals. Stay mindful of the habit, and change will come.
Brush Gently, Not Aggressively
Brushing harder does not clean your teeth better; it damages enamel and irritates gum tissue. Excessive pressure during brushing contributes to tooth sensitivity and gum recession. To effectively and safely brush your teeth, use gentle circular motions with a soft-bristle toothbrush for two minutes, two to three times per day. Maintaining this routine will protect your enamel and keep your gums healthy.
Stop Grinding Your Teeth & Clenching Your Jaw
Teeth grinding (or bruxism) and jaw clenching place continuous stress on the enamel and oral muscles. Many patients experience unexplained headaches, jaw soreness, neck tension, or worn and cracked teeth from this often unconscious habit. A custom mouthguard provided by your dentist in Yuba City helps protect teeth during sleep or periods of stress and reduces long-term damage caused by grinding. Make a dental appointment to ask about solving your problem with bruxism.
Avoid Chewing Hard Objects
Many people break or crack their teeth by chewing on ice, pens, or hard candy. Each time you unnecessarily apply pressure to your teeth, you risk chipping or cracking your teeth. Avoid chewing hard objects to prevent unnecessary pain and expensive dental repairs.
Limit Frequent Snacking
When you snack frequently, you constantly feed the bacteria that contribute to tooth decay. As these bacteria consume sugars, they produce acid, which eats away at your enamel. Eating fewer meals and drinking plenty of water in between those meals allows your teeth to heal naturally with the help of your saliva.
Teeth Serve One Purpose
Teeth function best when used for chewing food only. When you try to open packages or hold onto objects with your teeth, you increase the risk of cracking or breaking your teeth and damaging your soft tissues. Using proper tools instead of your teeth prevents avoidable dental emergencies.
Protect Your Oral Health
We hope you appreciate these dental tips. At the Yuba City Dentistry Group, we provide education, preventive dentistry, and treatment options so that all of our patients maintain good dental and overall health. Let us help you keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition. Contact us today to schedule an appointment! If you have an urgent dental concern, caused by any of the above bad habits, call us immediately so that we can evaluate your needs and provide same-day emergency care if necessary.
