Habits That Can Harm Your Oral Health

At Emerald Dental, one of our goals is for our patients to have optimal oral health. Unfortunately, many patients have habits that can have the opposite effect. These habits may not be currently causing a problem, but eventually you will see an impact on your teeth and oral health. Harmful habits that you may want to change include the following:

Using Teeth as Tools
If you have trouble opening a package or cutting a tag, it seems like your teeth may be an easy solution. This is the most harmful habit you can have in terms of your oral health. We encourage you to take a few extra seconds to find the appropriate tool. Using your teeth in this way can cause the enamel to become damaged, crack, and break.

Clenching and Grinding Your Teeth
Many people who clench and grind their teeth are unaware until they receive a diagnosis from the dentist, as this harmful habit often happens during sleep. This repeated motion can lead to worn teeth, cracked teeth, and broken teeth. If we mentioned this during your recent visit, be sure to follow our recommendations.

Snacking Throughout the Day
Each time you eat or drink, you are introducing harmful bacteria to your mouth. Your saliva does what it can to rinse the mouth of the bacteria, but there are always some left behind on and between teeth. The more often you eat, the more bacteria are left in your mouth. The same is true for people who sip on sugary coffees and colas throughout the day. This significantly increases your risk of developing decay and gum disease.

If you are in Wilmington, DE and are concerned that any of these bad habits have already caused damage to your teeth, please call our office to schedule an appointment. We are also happy to welcome patients from Pike Creek and Newark, DE. We can work together to come up with a dental plan that is right for you and your needs. We look forward to seeing you soon!