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Most of us have a bad habit or two. Do you bite your nails? Do you smoke? Do you grind your teeth? Do you use your teeth to open bottles or crack nuts? Do you not visit the dentist regularly? Do you know these habits can affect your oral health? Here is how!

• Nail Biting

Biting down on your nails can lead to tooth damage as a result of wear and tear on the enamel that protects your teeth from decay. Damaged enamel allows bacteria to infect the teeth and cause cavities. You risk chipping and breaking your teeth, causing injury to your gums and leaving indentations in them. Your jaw muscles can also become sore from nail biting. If you have the habit, quit it at the earliest. 

• Smoking

Cigarettes contain harmful chemicals that irritate the soft tissue in the mouth, leading to gum disease, tooth loss, and other serious oral health consequences.Tar on the cigarette stick can irritate the gums and lead to bone loss around the roots of the teeth. Moreover, tobacco users are more likely to suffer from oral cancer than those who do not use tobacco products. Long-term smokers are more likely to develop mouth cancers than non-smokers.’’Talk to your doctor about how to quit for a healthier mouth.

• Brushing Teeth Aggressively

Many people tend to brush their teeth too vigorously, damaging the gums in the process, which could make them recede over time. Aggressive toothbrushing can also wear down the teeth and cause tooth sensitivity and pain. Try using a soft-bristled toothbrush to avoid harming your gums and wearing away the tooth’s enamel. Also, be sure to replace your toothbrush every three to four months to prevent harmful germs from growing on it. Also, don’t scrub too hard when you floss. Use a gentle touch while you floss.

• Teeth Grinding

Teeth grinding is when someone grinds their teeth and clenches their jaw. This can happen during waking hours or while sleeping at night. Many people aren’t even aware of it happening! However, if you’re waking up with a headache or a sore jaw, it may be a sign of bruxism. This is an involuntary habit -- sometimes stress can cause someone to grind their teeth without even knowing it’s occurring. It’s important to visit the dentist to find out if you’re damaging your teeth by grinding them frequently. Your dentist may recommend wearing a mouth guard to protect your mouth while you sleep.

• Not Visiting A Dentist Regularly

The American Dental Association recommends that you visit your dentist every six months for a regular checkup and cleaning. These visits are important because they help catch issues early when they’re easy to treat and help prevent the need for more complex procedures later on. However, there are some patients who don’t visit their dentist as recommended. When patients skip out on regular appointments with the dentist, it increases the risk of serious dental health problems down the road, like cavities and gum disease.

Visit Jeanne V. Devi DDS at 595 E Colorado Blvd Suite 603, Pasadena, CA 91101, for the best dental care, or call us at (626) 795-2544 to book an appointment.