Are you missing a tooth? You're not alone. About 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, and some 40 million people in the United States are missing all of their teeth. Think that's bad? Take a look at tooth decay numbers. About 92% of adults and 42% of kids ages 2-11 have at least one cavity.
Bad oral care habits can ruin your teeth. Luckily, you can change bad habits to help ensure a lifetime of good oral health and beautiful teeth.
Ali Saeghi, DDS, and our team at Modern Age Dentistry with offices in West Hills, Ojai, and Los Angeles, California, can help you change these bad habits that are ruining your teeth.
Cleaning your teeth improperly is one of the most common bad habits. Here's how you should be cleaning your teeth:
While most people brush their teeth in the morning and before bed, many refuse to floss. They look at flossing as a burdensome habit. That's too bad, because flossing before bed is one of the best ways to ensure tooth and gum health. Flossing removes soft tartar that can form into hard plaque. Plaque buildup is one of the chief causes of gum disease.
If you really hate flossing, you can try a water flossing system that shoots powerful jets of water between your teeth. This dislodges debris that gets stuck between your teeth and allows bacteria to build and slowly erode your teeth.
Regular brushing is one of the best habits you can form to keep your teeth clean and healthy. But many people brush too hard, which can hurt your gums and tooth enamel. Gentle brushing is the proper way to clean your teeth. Use circular motions with a soft-bristle toothbrush to preserve your tooth enamel.
If you clench or grind your teeth, you can put stress on your jaws and other muscles that can cause a slew of teeth and jaw problems. Grinding your teeth at night, especially, wears down your teeth.
If you grind your teeth, we can outfit you with a night guard that can protect the surface of your teeth.
Everyone knows that nail biting can wreck the look of your hands. But did you know that fingernail biting can chip your teeth and put stress on your jaw?
Sure, life gets stressful, and biting your nails can sometimes create a momentary calm. But breaking this habit can go a long way toward protecting the health of your teeth.
People who habitually chew on ice put their teeth at risk. You might not think that ice is an enemy of your teeth, but it’s hard and cold and more than able to chip the enamel of your teeth.
Eating candy and other sugary foods is a great way to produce tooth decay. But eating hard candy is even more dangerous for your teeth.
As you slowly suck on these sweets, sugars remain in your mouth for a long time, which promotes tooth decay. Also, chomping away at hard candies can chip your teeth.
We want you to enjoy a lifetime of beautiful, healthy teeth. Schedule an appointment at Modern Age Dentistry today by calling the office most convenient for you.
