5 Dental Habits to Avoid For a Healthy, Happy Mouth

When looking after the health of your teeth, avoiding bad dental habits is just as important as sticking to the good ones. Here are 5 oral care habits you MUST avoid. 

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Looking after your teeth is vital to ensure your mouth stays healthy, and to help you avoid certain conditions of the teeth and gums. Visiting your family dentist for regular teeth cleanings is therefore important to prevent:

• Tooth decay
• Tooth loss
• Gum disease
• Oral cancer

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Whatever your family’s dental needs, our dental clinic offers a wide range of oral care services from teeth cleanings and extractions to Invisalign and sedation dentistry to ensure the long-term health of your teeth and gums.

 

5 Dental Habits You Must Avoid

Most people have engaged in a few bad dental habits at some point in time but trying to avoid them can help you maintain maximum oral health and avoid any unpleasant trips to the dentist!

Here are 5 oral practices you should watch out for:

1. Forgetting to Floss

Brushing and flossing should ALWAYS go hand in hand. However, more often than not, people always forget to do the latter. Flossing is very important because it helps remove the bacteria trapped between your teeth, which lowers your risk for many oral conditions, including:

• Tooth decay
• Periodontal disease
• Halitosis (bad breath)
• Tooth loss
• Gingivitis

While flossing your teeth can be a challenging habit to develop, it is one that is well-worth the effort. Adding it to your daily routine keeps your teeth bright, white and healthy!

 

2. Brushing Too Hard

While the theory behind a hard scrubbing is that it helps remove plaque and bacteria, brushing your teeth too vigorously has negative implications for your oral health. Extreme pressure can actually harm your tooth’s enamel and gum tissue.

Remember: The use of proper brushing technique with slight pressure can be just as effective in keeping your teeth clean.

 

3. Using a Hard Bristle Toothbrush

All brushing habits are extremely important but none more so than choosing the right type of toothbrush. One of the most crucial factors to take into consideration when doing so is the type of bristle.

Why is a soft bristle better than a hard one?

Bristles come in all shapes, forms and stiffness so choosing the right one is key. Softer bristles will help protect the tooth’s enamel from erosion, while the bristles will be easier and more gentle on your gums.

 

4. Grinding Your Teeth

Grinding your teeth (bruxism) can be a common habit, and it wreaks havoc on your oral health and lead to:

• Tooth decay
• Tooth sensitivity
• Fractured teeth/fillings
• Flattened cusps

If you are experiencing signs of bruxism, it’s important to visit your family dentist as soon as possible. This habit can be tricky to break as many do it in their sleep or when stressed. By creating a plan based on a variety of treatment options, your dentist can help minimize the symptoms of this condition and protect your oral health.

 

5. Avoiding Teeth Cleanings

No matter how thorough you are with your brushing and flossing, you will not be able to remove all the tartar and plaque in your mouth. That is why visiting your family dentist for regular teeth cleanings is so important.

Regular cleanings

• Help detect oral cancer 
• Prevent bad breath
• Maintain oral health
• Give you a brighter smile

 

Call Today

To find out more our family dentistry services including teeth cleanings, wisdom teeth removals and senior dental care, contact our Calgary clinic at (403) 248-2066 or fill in our online contact form.