According to WebMD, poor oral care can lead to many problems such as tooth decay, gingivitis and even tooth loss. Here are harmful habits you should avoid to protect your oral health.
1. Brushing teeth too hard
Many people think that brushing your teeth hard will help clean your teeth better, but in fact, this can damage tooth enamel and gums. Brushing your teeth too hard or using a hard brush can erode tooth enamel, leading to sensitive teeth and gingivitis.
How to fix it:
Use a soft toothbrush and brush your teeth gently, in circular motions to protect tooth and gums.
2. Eat foods high in sugar
Eating too many sugary foods is one of the main causes of tooth decay. Foods such as candy, cookies, carbonated soft drinks will create conditions for bacteria to grow in the mouth and destroy tooth enamel.
How to fix it:
Limit eating foods high in sugar and often drink water after eating these foods to minimize the harmful effects on teeth.
3. Use teeth to open the bottle lid or tear the packaging
Using teeth to open bottle caps, tear packaging, or cut hard objects can damage teeth. This not only breaks teeth but also damages tooth enamel and increases the risk of gingivitis.
How to fix it:
Use appropriate tools to open the bottle lid or cut the packaging instead of using teeth.
4. Smoking and drinking alcohol
Smoking and drinking alcohol are not only harmful to overall health but also seriously affect oral health. Cigarettes reduce blood flow to the gums, causing dry mouth and increasing the risk of periodontal disease. Alcohol can dry the mouth and increase plaque on the teeth.
How to fix it:
Limit or stop using cigarettes and alcohol to protect oral health.
5. Not going for regular dental check-ups
Not going for regular dental check-ups is a harmful habit that many people have. Regular dental check-ups help promptly detect oral problems such as tooth decay, gingivitis or other serious diseases.
How to fix it:
Make sure to have a regular oral examination at least every 6 months to maintain oral health.
6. Using teeth as a tool for biting and tearing
Many people have the habit of using their teeth to bite hard objects such as nails, pens or even open food packages. This habit can cause tooth failure, cavities and damage gums.
How to fix it:
Use the right tools instead of using teeth to bite or tear.
