Bad Habits You Need To Stop
Identifying the habits is the first step towards quitting
We all love a beautiful smile but keeping your smile bright and healthy takes work and there are a few nasty little habits that you need to stop today.
Identifying the habits is the first step towards quitting
We all love a beautiful smile but keeping your smile bright and healthy takes work and there are a few nasty little habits that you need to stop today.
Biting your nails
Probably the most common bad habit, nail-biting can chip your teeth and even have an impact on your jaw. Not to mention the high amounts of germs lurking under fingernails shouldn’t be in your mouth.
Tips to stop:
Bitter-tasting nail polishes that will be sure to turn you off-putting those nails in your mouth.
Other forms of stress relief like a stress ball which also keeps your fingers busy.
Brushing your teeth too hard
A common misconception about brushing your teeth is that the harder you brush, the cleaner the teeth when in fact it can damage your teeth and irritate your gums.
Tips to stop:
Use a soft-bristle toothbrush or an electric toothbrush that alerts you when you’re applying too much pressure.
Grinding or clenching your teeth
Prolonged grinding or clenching can result in jaw paid and weakened teeth that can cause chipping or cracking
Tips to stop:
A night time mouth guard to relieve some pressure
Relaxation exercises
Chewing on ice
Sure, it’s a cooling summer treat but teeth and ice are in battle with each other. Ice will usually break first but, over time the chances of teeth losing the fight gets higher.
Tips to stop:
Try serving your drinks without the ice cubes or sip through a reusable straw to avoid the temptation.
Too much snacking
Snacking is a favourite pastime for many of us but the issue is that often the snacks we choose are high in sugar which puts your teeth at risk of cavities from the bacteria that gets left behind.
Tips to stop:
Choose meals that will fuel you for longer so you don’t feel the need to turn to snacks as often.
Teeth as tools
This is a BAD one. From opening a can with your teeth to ripping a tag off clothing when you can’t find scissors. Any time you choose your teeth over actual tools, you’re at high risk of breaking or chipping your teeth which usually results in the need for a trip to The Emergency Dentist Sydney.
Tips to stop:
Easy…. take the time to actually locate the tool you need. Leave your teeth out of it!
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Top 5 Common Brushing Mistakes
Is your brushing technique working in your favour?
Brushing our teeth is something we all do twice a day and our process becomes second nature. Over time, you may have developed some bad habits that could be damaging your teeth and gums over time. Here’s some tips to get you on the right track to ensure your efforts aren’t being wasted.
Is your brushing technique working in your favour?
Brushing our teeth is something we all do twice a day and our process becomes second nature. Over time, you may have developed some bad habits that could be damaging your teeth and gums over time. Here’s some tips to get you on the right track to ensure your efforts aren’t being wasted.
1. Wrong Direction
Many people believe they should be going up and down or side to side. Whilst this might feel easier you should actually be brushing in small circles, particularly where the tooth meets the gums.
2. Toothbrush Too Large
Size does matter! And in this case, smaller is better. This ensures you’re not overloading with too much toothpaste and can get into those hard to reach places.
3. Brushing Too Hard
You might think that the harder to press the cleaner your teeth will be. Pressing too hard when brushing can wear down the enamel on the teeth as well as damage and push back the gums, exposing the sensitive root area.
4. Too Soon After Eating
Brushing your teeth right after a meal can feel great, especially if the food has left a strong taste in your mouth. Doing this, however, could be damaging. Waiting around 30 minutes could help save teeth enamel because your mouth has had enough time to produce saliva to neutralise.
5. The Wrong Toothpaste
Before you’re tempted to reach for the extreme whitening toothpaste, beware that this can also cause extreme tooth sensitivity making it difficult to enjoy your favourite foods and drinks.
The team at The Emergency Dentist Sydney is more than happy for you to reach out and ask us to clear up any concerns about your brushing technique. You may even save yourself an emergency appointment down the track. Happy brushing!
Need Advice Or Emergency Dental Care In Sydney CBD?
Contact our friendly team
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