You’re probably guilty of some of them.
Brushing, flossing andvisiting the dentistregularly we all know the pillars of good dental hygiene.
But knowing them and maintaining them are two different things.
They dont chew ice.
The first thing that came to mind for me was chewing ice, saidDr.
Natalie Peterson, a clinical associate professor of dentistry at the University of Minnesota.
Icecan break your teeth because not only is it hard, but its cold, too, Peterson noted.
It can be particularly damaging for people with fillings.
The thought of chewing on ice just gives me shivers, she said.
They dont bite their nails.
Plus, nail-biting is often a habit, which means your teeth have to deal with this action repeatedly.
They dont open bags or bottles with their teeth.
It puts unnecessary stress on your teeth.
They avoid eating gummy candy.
Sticky candies like gummy worms, gummy bears and peach rings are all items that dentists steer clear of.
They can also pop out fillings.
Beyond gummy candy, Peterson said she specifically avoidssourgummies.
I kind of think of these as the trifecta of bad.
Theyre sticky, theyre super sugary and theyre really acidic thats why they taste sour, Peterson said.
They dont consume excessive amounts of alcohol.
Manning said excessive alcohol consumption is bad for your teeth, too.
They dont use a toothbrush with too-hard bristles.
Peterson said she recommends toothbrushes with soft bristles for several reasons.
Also, toothbrushes with hard or medium bristles can be abrasive to your teeth in general, she said.
I would never smoke or use tobacco, Manning said.
Smoking is a hard habit to quit, but there areresources availableto help you achieve this goal.
If you dont smoke, dont start for the sake of your oral health and beyond.
They dont skip out on their daily dental hygiene.
This will likely not be surprising, but dentists say skipping brushing and flossing is a major no-no.
Flossing daily along with brushing is the key to fighting gum disease, Manning said.
Additionally, Soncini said its extra important to brush your teeth at night.
Never ever, ever, ever go to sleep without brushing your teeth, Soncini explained.
Going to bed with a clean mouth can keep bacteria from growing overnight, Soncini said.
They dont miss dentist appointments.
I also would never ignore my regular dental checkups, Manning said.
Routine dental checkups are crucial for maintaining oral health and catching dental issues early.
