Just as your daily habits can affect whole body health—fluctuating weight, headache, breathing issues, etc.—the thing you do day to day can also impact your oral health. This article from our Orland Park dentists will give you some information about common daily habits, and how they affect your smile. We hope that this info helps you make positive changes in your daily routine!
Daily Habit: not drinking enough water
Whether you are chronically dehydrated, or regularly reaching for sugary soft drinks, energy drinks, and fruit juices, your body is not getting the hydration it needs to function optimally. Unfortunately, this prevents your body from producing enough saliva, and, since saliva neutralizes bacteria and remineralizes enamel, a lack of it puts your smile at risk. A patient with chronic dry mouth are at an increased risk of developing cavities, gum disease, and bad breath.
Daily Habit: picking at your smile
Many of us have gotten into the bad habit of using toothpicks to clear food particles a dental debris from our smile. Toothpicks, both wooden and metal, can cause inadvertent damage to your smile, especially to your oral tissues and gums. That is why our dental team strongly recommends that you use floss, rather than toothpicks, to refresh your mouth throughout the day.
Daily Habit: chomping on hard treats
If you are someone who regularly chew on hard candies, ice, and mints, our dental team is here to encourage you to make a healthier decision for your smile. Every time that we chew on hard or abrasive substances, we risk developing small—invisible to the naked eye—cracks and chips in dental enamel.
If you would benefit from more guidance on ways that you can optimize your daily routine (and weed out bad habits), please feel free to contact our Tinley Park dentists!