We all have habits that we’ve grown accustomed to. They’ve become second nature. Most of the time we don’t even know we’re doing it. But have you ever taken a moment to think about how some of our habits could be wrecking your teeth? Dr. Adibfar – one of Toronto’s leading dentists – has seen first hand how some seemingly harmless habits can have a big impact on a patient’s oral health. To help you understand which habits might be contributing to your oral health issues, Dr. Adibfar and her team of dental professionals put together a list of habits to watch out for. If you find any of these habits creeping into your daily routine, you might want to find a way to kick the habit. In this two part series, let’s start by taking a closer look at habits that could be wrecking your teeth and placing your oral health in jeopardy.
1. Chewing on ice:
This may seem safe. There’s no sugar, it’s nature and ice appears to be relatively harmless, right? Chomping down on ice can chip or even crack your teeth. This can lead to numerous other oral health issues that can cause pain and sensitivity. This habit can also irritate the tissues inside the tooth, which can cause toothaches. If this occurs, cold or hot food can cause pain and discomfort.
Breaking the habit: The next time you get an urge to chew on an ice cube, go for a piece of sugar free gum instead.
2. Playing Sports Without a Mouth Guard
As a trusted Toronto dentist, Dr. Adibfar always recommends to wear a mouth guard while playing sports where there is a chance of your mouth and jaw being hit. This can include hockey, football and even basketball. While a mouth guard may seem like an inconvenience and maybe of us may think we don’t need one, it protects your teeth. Without it, teeth could be chipped or even knocked out. This can lead to long-term oral health problems and a considerable amount of pain.
Breaking the habit: Pick up a self-fitting mouth guard from your local sports store or get your dentist to create you a custom-made one. Keep it on hand and don’t get in the game without it. Remember, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
3. Bedtime Bottles
While a bottle of juice, milk or formula before bed may seem like a harmless habit to get into, it can actually have a significant impact on your child’s oral health. The sugars found in these drinks can cause sensitivity and even tooth decay if they are left on your baby’s teeth overnight.
Breaking the habit: Don’t rely on bottles before bed. We recommend keeping this out of the crib and ensuring your baby’s teeth are cleaned before they doze off.
4. Teeth Grinding
Often caused by stress or bad sleeping habits, grinding your teeth can wear your teeth down and cause irreversible damage that is linked to sensitivity and cracks. But since this is happening while you sleep, it’s tough to control.
Breaking the habit: This is one of the hardest habits to break. We always recommend speaking with your dentist about how you can stop teeth grinding. Many will grow out of the habit over time but it might be beneficial to get a customized mouth guard to prevent your grinding from ruining your oral health.
Next Steps
Do you have questions about how to protect your oral health from stress or want to schedule checkup, teeth cleaning or routine exam? Contact us directly! Our team looks forward to seeing you.
And don’t forget to follow Dr. Maryam Adibfar on Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter for the latest dental tips, tricks and advice!
A BONUS Just for You!
When you refer a friend, family member or colleague to our office, you’ll receive a $25 gift card to a favourite local coffee shop!
Simply contact our Davisville dental team directly to make a referral! Now that you know how to combat stains, you can enjoy your coffee or tea to the fullest!