Brushing is not enough to protect your teeth from cavities. If you regularly consume lots of sugar, smoke or skip regular dental visits, you teeth could still suffer. Here are the top oral health pitfalls you should avoid:
A diet high in sugar is bad for your waistline & your teeth. Chewing gum, snacking on candies, downing sweet sodas & juices are habits known to cause cavities & damage teeth. But tooth decay can be caused not just by obviously sugar laden foods; carbohydrates contain sugars & starches that can also lead to cavities. These sugars leave a coating on your teeth that’s converted into acids by the natural bacteria that live in your mouth. These acids then break down the enamel on your teeth, which results in the holes called cavities.
Smoking causes problems for your teeth & there is a much higher rate of gum disease among smokers versus non-smokers, as well as more rapid bone loss around teeth. Using other tobacco products are other bad habits that affect overall oral health. Chewing tobacco regularly & smoking can increase the risk of oral cancer.
You may think chewing ice or chewing on a pencil is a harmless habit, but it’s quite tough on teeth & can lead to damage. People who chew ice of clench & grind their teeth due to stress may rapidly wear down the enamel on teeth.
Skimping on oral care is surefire way to develop gum disease & other dental problems. Frequent brushing (at least two times a day, ideally after meals & snacks) & daily flossing should be part of your regular dental hygiene routine. Skipping these steps can allow bacteria to feed on leftover sugars & food particles in your mouth, resulting in acid that causes cavities.
Keeping your teeth healthy also requires regular visits to your dentist. You should see your dentist twice a year for a cleaning & detection of any early signs of cavities.
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