Flossing and brushing your teeth daily is essential for a beautiful smile and pearly whites that will last a lifetime. However, proper dental care surpasses the basics as certain habits can wreck havoc on your teeth and cost thousands to repair. Make sure that you visit your general dentist palm bay twice a year to insure the best healthy teeth possible!
1. Chewing Ice
Snacking on a handful of ice is fun and has zero calories, but it also is more harmful on teeth than most assume. Cracks and fractures often occur from biting ice, even damaging a filling and causing it to be replaced. Opt for chewing on gum for a safer habit. If the habit is a tempting one, opt for consuming drinks that don't contain ice or simply letting the ice melt naturally in your mouth when snacking on it.
2. Using Teeth Instead of Scissors
Many people resort to using their teeth as scissors instead of finding the actual tool. When ripping off tags or opening plastic products, it can often be more convenient to use the molars. However, this can often lead to damaged enamel, as well as chips. Teeth are meant for breaking down soft food items for proper digestion, and simply aren't strong enough to endure constant use of being in contact with hard plastics and metals.
3. Brushing Too Hard
A common myth is that the harder a person brushes their teeth, the cleaner their teeth become. Although it's important to remove food particles, brushing too hard can break down enamel and even lead to more cavities. Along with this, it can cause the gums to recede and even lead to tooth sensitivity due to the nerves becoming irritated. Choose toothbrushes with soft bristles and brush at a 45 degree angle. Brushing twice a day is crucial, but three times is best to ensure that plaque is completely removed and doesn't have a chance to build up.
4. Improper Flossing
Flossing does more harm than good when the floss is snapped during the process. Snapping the floss on the gums can cause inflammation, bleeding, and even cuts. Gently slide the floss up and down each tooth instead.
Flossing is not only supposed to be used to remove food particles trapped in between teeth, but to also remove plaque. Work the floss along the teeth by scraping off the plaque, and spend more time in the back of the teeth where cavities are most likely to form. Instead of spending a few seconds flossing, take the time to floss for a total of two minutes to ensure every tooth is properly cleaned.