What have you done to take care of your smile today? Keeping up with your oral hygiene routine protects you against tooth decay and gum disease, it can help you feel confident in your smile, and it can make you feel healthier and more comfortable to have a clean mouth. While it is hard to overstate the value of brushing and flossing, there are many other behaviors you can engage in on a typical day that can also impact your chances of developing an oral health problem. Our Virginia Beach, VA dentist’s office is ready to provide our patients with guidance on good habits, just as we are prepared to take care of your teeth during a dental checkup!
1. Nightly Teeth Grinding
One particularly frustrating aspect of nightly teeth grinding is that you have no way to consciously stop yourself while engaging in this habit. You can identify signs of nightly teeth grinding when you wake up – you may have problems with dental sensitivity upon waking, feel pain in your face and jaw, or observe dental wear and tear. If this problem continues without treatment, it can lead to alarming chips and cracks in your teeth. Plan your night around stress reduction in order to reduce your risk for grinding, and be careful about your caffeine and alcohol consumption. If this problem, known as bruxism, is a regular struggle, your dentist can provide you with a protective appliance to wear.
2. Regular Tobacco Use
Tobacco users can be at risk for embarrassing teeth stains, they may have a harder time preventing gum disease, and they increase their likelihood of developing oral cancer. Because there are so many oral health issues linked to tobacco use, it should be easy to see how dropping a smoking habit can be good for your dental (and general) well-being!
3. Heavy Soft Drink Consumption
How often do you pair your meals with soft drinks? Regularly drinking soda can weaken your teeth, as these beverages are acidic, and may soften your enamel. You can also have problems with regular soft drink consumption because these drinks are high in sugar. Moving away from soft drinks, and drinking more water, can help you avoid dental problems that require restorative dental work.
Your Virginia Beach, VA Dentist Can Help You Protect Your Smile!
Our Virginia Beach, VA dentist’s office is prepared to help you keep your teeth in great shape! We offer regular preventive services during checkups, and we can offer the appropriate treatments for a range of oral health problems. With that said, we can also provide help by guiding you into better behaviors that lower your risk for dental issues. To find out more about our practice, please call Absolute Dental Care at (757) 428-7440.
