Bad Oral Hygiene Habits To Eliminate

Some things not to do in order to have better oral health.

If you found your way to this article, you hopefully know the basics of how to keep your teeth, gums, and mouth healthy. Tips include the obvious: regular brushing, flossing, drinking plenty of water, and eating healthy foods. However, there are some lesser-known, but still important tips: what not to do to maintain your oral health. These involve a little more than just avoiding sugary food and drinks. So, what things can we stop doing in order to have healthier teeth?

Teeth are for chewing food they aren’t tools

Opening bottles, cutting string/plastic, and ripping open bags may seem tempting to do with the teeth, but please don’t. These small activities can chip or break the teeth. You may have done it a million times, but all it takes is one mistake to permanently damage your mouth. It’s just not worth the risk.

Eating/chewing ice

It may be satisfying to chew up that ice cube at the bottom of your drink….but it’s also not worth the risk. The teeth aren’t meant to chew up things as hard as ice. Chewing on ice cubes runs the exact same risk as using your teeth as tools. Another danger is that ice can numb the mouth, so you may break off a chunk of the tooth and not realize it. You might also apply too much pressure to the ice you are chewing and be blissfully unaware thanks to the cold numbing sensation.

Incorrect brushing

So this one covers a few different things. Let’s look at some of the most common ways that people brush incorrectly.

Brushing too hard

This is one of the biggest problems that regular brushers have. When you brush your teeth too hard, you can further recess the gums and wear away enamel. A gentle motion is all that is required to brush away the plaque and bacteria that builds up on teeth. 

Brushing too often

Twice a day is sufficient. Once at night before bed, and once in the morning is perfect. Brushing too often can also wear away the enamel and cause tooth damage.

Using a toothbrush with bristles that are too rigid

Tough bristles on the brush will have the same effect as brushing too hard. Your toothbrush should be soft, and if you are a hard brusher, an especially soft toothbrush is ideal.

Brushing too soon after eating

If you brush directly after eating, you may rub acids or sugars deeper into your enamel. Wait about 30 minutes after eating or drinking before brushing your teeth, and be sure to drink plenty of water after your meal too.

Avoid dry mouth

Speaking of water, drink more than you think you need. Yeah, you will have to pee more, but it’s worth it. Water is a natural solvent, so it breaks down the buildup of bacteria/plaque on tooth surfaces. Water also helps lubricate the mouth, washing away debris where bacteria forms. Drinking water is an easy way to clean out the mouth, particularly pockets in the gums that are hard for toothbrushes to reach.

Clenching your jaw

When you clench your jaw, perhaps during exercise or concentration, you are pressing your teeth together strongly. This puts pressure on the top surfaces of the molars, and where the teeth connect to the gums. Try to regularly remember to relax your face and relax your jaw throughout the day.

Tooth grinding

This one often happens during sleep, so it is a bit difficult to deal with compared to jaw clenching. Some people with severe tooth grinding issues will sleep with a mouthguard. Some people practice meditation (especially before sleep). Others will get therapy to deal with underlying reasons they are grinding their teeth at night.

Get advice from a dentist

If you are following all of the advice above, brushing and flossing regularly, and eating well, you should be better off than most! However, there can be other factors, such as hormonal changes, medicines, and more, that affect oral health. If you are running into issues and you don’t know why then don’t hesitate to contact us. Josey Lane Dentistry has been practicing in Carrollton Texas for nearly two decades. We have the experience and knowledge to help anyone with their oral health quandaries. Don’t let oral hygiene issues get you down, message us today to set up an appointment, or to get advice.