Break Your Habits, Not Your Teeth

People develop habits. Some habits are good, like exercising, and some habits are bad. Some bad habits include smoking, biting your nails, cracking your knuckles, picking your teeth, and so on. Bad habits can do damage to your health, and other parts of your body. For instance, smoking can cause cancer. Picking your teeth in public is gross. Biting your nails can harm your teeth. There are several habits that are bad for your teeth, in fact. Wouldn’t you rather break your bad habits and not your teeth?

Five Habits you Should Avoid

#1: Opening things with your teeth: Using your teeth to open plastic packaging, pop tops, or bottle caps can crack, chip, or break your teeth. It may be convenient at the time, but consider the consequences.

#2: Chewing ice: Chewing on ice can lead to chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. It can also irritate the soft tissue inside your teeth resulting in chronic toothaches.

#3: Grinding: Grinding your teeth is often a habit you are unaware of. It either happens while you are sleeping or while you are concentrating, stressing, brooding, or musing. It can lead to loose, cracked, and broken teeth. Wearing a mouth guard can help prevent damage from grinding at night.

#4: Pencil chewing: Replace pencil chewing with sugarless gum. While chewing on your pencil you can chip or crack your teeth. On the other hand, sugarless gum increases saliva flow which cleans your teeth. The enzymes in saliva also help remineralize your tooth enamel.

#5: Tongue piercings: Tongue piercings, particularly barbell type piercings, can lead to chipped, cracked, or broken teeth. If the metal rubs against the gums it can cause damage resulting in tooth loss. Tongue piercings can also cause mouth sores and/or infections.

About Your Reno Dentists

Dr. William Wager, Dr. Brian Evans, and our highly experienced team at Wager Evans Dental are devoted to our patients and their families, and dedicated to providing first-rate dental care in a comfortable, inviting environment. Located in Reno, we proudly welcome residents from Spanish Springs, Sparks, Incline Village, Dayton, Fernley, and all surrounding communities. To schedule a consultation or your next dental appointment, visit our office, or contact us today by calling (775) 800-4845.