Researchers have come to discover that your oral health can affect more than just your mouth, teeth and gums. There is even evidence that it can have a major effect on your overall health. Thankfully, there are some steps you can take to ensure your dental health remains in-tact, which will contribute to enjoying the best life possible. But first, let’s take a look at 5 potential roadblocks to your goals and discover why it’s so important to visit your dentist in Dublin for preventive care!
Habit #1 – Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Consuming tobacco products can be extremely detrimental to your oral health. It not only releases toxins that can contribute to tooth and gum decay, but it can create a breeding ground for oral bacteria. The best bet is to eliminate any form of tobacco usage.
Habit #2 – High Sugar Consumption
Bacteria of any kind absolutely love sugar. Therefore, if you consume an abundance of sweet foods or beverages, you run the risk of having dental health issues down the road.
One alternative is to replace snack items with fruits, which will still satisfy a sweet craving. Then, for a beverage alternative, you can try fruit-infused water.
Habit #3 – Improper Tooth Usage
Primarily, your teeth are designed to aid in the chewing and digestion of food, and to provide jawbone support. That means that such activities as biting fingernails, prying open packages and chewing ice could be problematic. To prevent a dental emergency, it’s best to avoid the aforementioned.
Habit #4 – Teeth Grinding (Bruxism)
For patients who suffer from bruxism, an unusual amount of pressure is placed on the teeth. This can result in premature enamel wear, and it can lead to a severely weakened tooth that is subject to breaking.
Habit #5 – Vigorous Toothbrushing
While it may seem that brushing your teeth with added force may help in removing more leftovers and bacteria, the danger it can pose outweighs any possible results. One of the potential risks is enamel damage.
To be on the safe side, it’s best to choose a soft toothbrush and to use care when cleaning your teeth. It also helps to hold the toothbrush at a 45-degree angle away from your gums when cleaning the front side of your teeth. Most importantly, though, you should always use a gentle back-and-forth motion.
In addition to making the above changes, it’s well worth it to pay your dentist a visit for a six-month cleaning and checkup. Therefore, you can be assured the excellent oral health you desire!
About the Author
A graduate of The Ohio State University College of Dentistry, Dr. Eric Buck has been an advocate of preventive care and healthy lifestyle practices throughout his career. To further expand his knowledge and to stay abreast of the new discoveries in dentistry, he maintains active affiliation with such professional organizations as the Ohio Dental Association, the Spear Education Society and the Academy of General Dentistry. Dr. Buck enhances his patients’ oral health at Distinctive Smiles, and he can be reached for more information through his website.