Many people don't realize that their actions and attitudes affect their oral health. Some bad habits that may seem harmless can have a negative impact on our oral health. Listed below are some of the common bad habits that can damage our oral health.

• Nail Biting

A bad habit that can lead to damaged nails and teeth is nail biting. The habit of biting nails or chewing on them can cause several problems. For instance, nail biting can chip or fracture the teeth or lead to enamel erosion. The best way to stop nail biting is to apply bitter-tasting nail polish on your nails. To deal with any stress issues, it is suggested to practice meditation or yoga, which can help you be more focused and relaxed. 

• Smoking

Cigarettes contain chemicals that can stain and discolor your teeth. The tar in the cigarette can also damage your teeth and gums by causing cavities or staining them yellow. Tobacco use also causes gum disease, tooth loss, and even oral cancer. It can even cause bad breath! The best way to avoid these oral health issues is to stop smoking or cut back significantly on how much you smoke. Talk to your doctor about a smoking cessation program if you need help quitting.

In addition to being harmful to our oral and overall health, tobacco is addictive and can be difficult to quit. The best thing to do is to avoid starting smoking in the first place. If you do start smoking, stop as soon as possible to greatly reduce the effects it has on your health and appearance. Even cutting back on the number of cigarettes you smoke per day can improve your oral health. If you want help to quit the habit, your dentist can guide you. 

• Brushing Teeth Aggressively

Did you know that approximately 90% of Americans admit to occasionally or frequently clenching their teeth? These bad habits are also known as bruxism, and they are quite common in adults as well as children. Even though they are often perceived as harmless behaviors, they can lead to a number of oral and general health issues. Teeth grinding habit can lead to chipped or broken teeth and noticeable wear on the edges of the front teeth. It can also put too much pressure on the jaw joints and lead to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). This condition causes discomfort while chewing and speaking, ringing in the ears, headaches, and even neck and shoulder pain.

• Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is a bad habit that can destroy your teeth or affect your jaws or temporomandibular joint as well. While occasional grinding can be common for those suffering from stress, those who grind their teeth every night should seek professional help. If you have the habit of teeth grinding, your dentist may recommend a mouthguard to help. 

• Using Teeth As Tools

In a recent study published in the International Association for Dental Research journal, researchers determined that people used their teeth as tools in nearly 40 percent of cases. Many people use their teeth in these activities by breaking off pieces of objects or opening packages with their teeth. While most people probably don't consider these actions to be bad oral habits, they can cause serious damage to your teeth over time. People who use their teeth to open packages might break a tooth if they are trying to open a package that is too difficult for them to handle. Tooth breakage is a common problem for people who frequently use their teeth as tools and who don't have healthy tooth enamel to protect them from damage.

Biting down on something harder than your natural teeth can break them or cause major damage to your dental bonding, veneers, or other restoration work that you may have performed on your teeth.

• Not Visiting The Dentist Regularly

Certain habits can harm our dental health more than others. If you do not visit a dentist for checkups and cleanings, you are at a higher risk of having cavities and gum diseases. A routine examination and cleaning twice a year is important to maintain your oral health, spot any potential problems early, and prevent more complicated issues in the future. Gum disease and tooth decay can cause tooth loss if not treated properly. If your teeth hurt or you experience bleeding gums, you can schedule an appointment with your dentist. If you have not been to the dentist in a while and fear discomfort during your appointment, ask your dentist what options are available to help you feel comfortable and relaxed. 

At North Star Dental, we ensure to provide each of our patients with a positive and relaxing experience. If you're ready to experience the best dental care, please contact us at (505) 369-1881 or visit us at 9501 Paseo del Norte NE, Suite A, Albuquerque, NM 87122. We will be happy to guide you further.