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The Best and Worst Habits for Your Teeth Achieving and maintaining healthy teeth and gums requires a few core practices: brushing twice daily, flossing daily, and visiting the dentist regularly for cleanings. While these dental hygiene basics are essential, below are some good habits you can adopt and bad habits to avoid—all in the name of protecting your dental health. By incorporating these habits into your daily routine, you can strengthen and protect your teeth, keeping your smile healthy for years to come.
Why is using charcoal toothbrushes or toothpaste a bad habit?
Charcoal-infused brushes and toothpaste may seem like a quick route to a whiter smile, but they come at a cost. The charcoal acts as an abrasive that sands away the outer layer of tooth enamel, initially looking like you had teeth whitening done but leading to serious damage over time. Since enamel doesn’t regenerate, using charcoal products regularly can result in weaker teeth, increased staining, cracks, cavities, and other dental issues.
Why is brushing gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush a good habit?
Many people brush too hard, which can wear down enamel, cause gum recession, and even lead to small lesions on the teeth. Using a toothbrush with soft bristles and brushing gently can help prevent this damage while safely removing food particles.
A good technique is holding the toothbrush like a pen, which naturally reduces pressure. An electric toothbrush can also be a great option, as many models have built-in sensors that alert you if you press too hard.
Why is snacking on sugary foods and drinks a bad habit?
Sugary foods and sweet, acidic beverages like sports drinks, soda, and flavored coffee can erode enamel and promote tooth decay. Acidic drinks weaken enamel, and sugary beverages feed bacteria that contribute to decay. Even sugar-free sodas, often high in acid, can wear down enamel over time.
While consuming these drinks and sugary snacks occasionally is usually fine, drinking and eating them throughout the day can significantly increase the risk of tooth erosion and cavities.
Why is swishing with water or mouthwash a good habit?
After consuming sugary or acidic foods and beverages, rinsing your mouth with water can help neutralize acid and wash away sugars and bacteria. This simple habit can minimize the effects of acid on your enamel and freshen your breath.
Additionally, incorporating a fluoride or antibacterial mouthwash into your oral care routine can provide added protection against cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Why is waiting before brushing after a meal a good habit?
Brushing right after a meal, especially after consuming acidic foods or drinks, can wear away the enamel softened by acids. Waiting 30 minutes after eating gives your enamel time to re-harden, reducing the risk of damage. During this time, the enamel can remineralize, strengthening it and helping protect your teeth from future damage.
Why using toothpicks is a bad habit?
Using toothpicks or fingernails to pick between teeth can damage your gums and cause tooth abrasion. Toothpicks can lead to gum injuries, abscesses, and sensitivity. A safer alternative is using interdental brushes, which are effective for cleaning between teeth without irritating them.
Why are regular dental check-ups a good habit?
Now, of course, this is not a surprise that we would recommend this. But it’s a fact that regular dental check-ups are essential for maintaining both oral and overall health.
During these visits at your dental office, we can detect early signs of issues like cavities, gum disease, and even oral cancer, allowing for timely treatment that prevents complications down the road. Routine cleanings help remove plaque and tartar buildup that daily brushing can miss, reducing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
Maintaining regular dental check-ups can help you avoid costly dental problems and procedures, protect your healthy smile, and support your overall well-being.
Why are using your teeth as tools and nail-biting bad habits?
Many people use their teeth for opening packages or removing plastic tags, which can cause chips, cracks, and other damage. While using your teeth as a tool may seem convenient, it can result in lasting damage that requires costly repairs.
Nail biting is a bad habit for your teeth as well. While enamel is strong enough for biting, it isn’t as resilient when bent or flexed. There are several bitter nail polishes out there that you can use to deter yourself from putting your fingers in your mouth.
Why is teeth grinding a bad habit?
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, can be a damaging habit that leads to numerous oral health issues, including worn-down teeth, jaw pain, headaches, cracked or fractured teeth, and jaw dysfunction.
This habit often happens unconsciously, especially during sleep, and is commonly linked to stress, anxiety, or an abnormal bite. To manage bruxism, you can try stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness or meditation, practice good sleep hygiene, and avoid caffeine and alcohol before bed.
Additionally, wearing a custom-fitted mouth guard prescribed by our dentists can help protect your teeth and alleviate the strain on your jaw.
Why is chewing ice cubes a bad habit?
Chewing ice cubes can damage teeth. The hardness of ice can create tiny fractures or chips in the enamel, weakening teeth and increasing the risk of cavities, sensitivity, and even breakage over time.
Additionally, frequent ice-chewing can stress your jaw, leading to discomfort or even temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues. To curb the habit, try sipping cold water or sucking on crushed ice instead, or switch to sugar-free gum to keep your mouth engaged in a way that’s gentler on your teeth.
or call us at Keep your smile healthy with expert care at MD Periodontics
Caring for your teeth at home is essential, but partnering with our skilled dental professionals is the best way to ensure lasting oral health. MD Periodontics in Beverly Hills offers expert oral hygiene and the best dental care tailored to your unique dental needs.
Dr. Abdy Moshrefi and Dr. Nazanin Daneshman are a husband-and-wife team of board-certified periodontists and holistic dentists experienced in treating gum disease, bruxism, dental grafts, and the procedures they can help with, including dental implants.
Their Beverly Hills periodontology clinic aims to provide patients with a relaxing and supportive environment. Advanced technology, excellent training, a soft bedside manner, and a stylish environment will make oral care a pleasure, not an obligation.
Schedule a consultation online or call us at (855) 245-1100. A spa-like atmosphere, staffed by a team who truly cares about your smile, awaits you!
MD Periodontics is conveniently located for patients throughout the metropolitan Los Angeles area. Our board-certified periodontists and implant dentistry experts are available at locations in or near Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, West Hollywood, Downtown Los Angeles, Marina del Rey, Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Sherman Oaks, and Encino.
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