When you think about the harm that tooth decay can cause, it can be hard to imagine why someone would disregard the importance of good oral hygiene. If nothing is done in time, a cavity can worsen until your tooth becomes infected, and you require root canal treatment to return it to good health. The problem can even grow so serious that your tooth is lost! Maintaining good oral health habits is important, but certain issues can sometimes make doing so difficult. Our Virginia Beach, VA dentist’s office can help patients protect their smiles through consistent dental examinations, and through encouragement to help them practice better behaviors between appointments.
1. Troubles With Sleep Can Affect Your Focus On Your Morning Routine
People who often go without proper rest can feel fatigued throughout the day, but they can be especially tired around those times when they brush and floss. If your mornings are shortened because you slept in, or if you are unfocused from exhaustion, you may do a poor job brushing or skip this practice entirely. People who are exhausted may fall asleep without meaning to before they have cleaned their teeth. Going without sleep can have many negative effects on your well-being, making it more than just an oral health concern.
2. The Wrong Diet Choices Can Raise Your Cavity Risk
Simply put, you can make cavity prevention more difficult by eating and drinking the wrong products. While sugar is definitely something to watch out for, there are other diet issues that can make you susceptible to problems that require restorative dental work. Products that are sticky can be harder to remove from teeth, so they can provide more food for bacteria in your mouth. Acidic products can weaken enamel over time, which can make it easier for a cavity to form.
3. Stress Can Lead To Dry Mouth, Teeth Grinding, And Other Issues
While stress can be a part of everyone’s life, some people have an easier time dealing with it than others. If you are often stressed, or if you struggle to manage it, there may be consequences for your smile. Stress can sometimes lead to more problems with dry mouth, which can make it harder for your body to naturally defend teeth from harm. You can also pick up a habit of grinding your teeth, which can eventually lead to serious dental damage! Some people lose sleep over stress, or make unconscious changes in their diet to enjoy less healthy and more indulgent products, further putting their teeth at risk.
Our Virginia Beach, VA Dentist’s Office Has Helped Many Patients Address Oral Health Issues
At our Virginia Beach, VA dentist’s office, our preventive, restorative, and cosmetic services have helped many people in and around our community show off lovely, healthy teeth. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, please call Absolute Dental Care at (757) 428-7440.
