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Daily Bite: 4 Bad (Dental) Habits to Break

June 23rd, 2011 by eHealthGuide

Good dental health is easy to take for granted until something goes wrong. Your teeth allow you to chew your food and present a healthy smile. Here are four bad habits to break for optimal dental health.

1. Going to Bed without Brushing

Most adults know that they should brush their teeth, but being out late and staying up late sometimes make it easy to plop into bed without taking a few minutes to brush. If you want good dental health, brushing before bedtime is an absolute must. Otherwise, the bacteria have an extensive number of hours to get to work on your teeth and gums.

2. Flossing Only Occasionally

Some people only floss when they notice food stuck in their teeth. Ideally, you should floss after every meal. The longer that food has a chance to linger in between the teeth, the more havoc it will wreak in the form of cavities and gum disease.  

3. Chewing on Fingernails and Objects

The nervous habit of chewing on fingernails, on the tip of a water bottle or on an ice cube can create cracks and problems, particularly with porcelain veneers and other cosmetic dentistry. Avoiding these habits will keep your teeth strong and beautiful.

4. Going for Years without Visiting the Dentist

Dentists are notorious for scolding their patients who don’t visit them regularly. This is for good reason. Visiting the dentist every six months will ensure that any cavities or gum health issues can be remedied before they become full-blown problems that require tooth extraction, root canal procedures and other costly treatments.

Dental health is so important--learn more by visiting the Dental Forum!

 
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