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You probably know how important it is to keep your smile strong and healthy. Even with the most dedicated dental hygiene routine, every day factors sometimes work against your efforts toward maintaining your oral health. People tend to be creatures of habit. Some of your bad habits may prove detrimental to the integrity of your teeth without you even realizing it. The Moreno Valley dentists at Moreno Valley Dentistry want to make sure you are aware of some of the habits most damaging to your oral health.

Only Chew Food

When you become nervous or fidgety, do you have a set way of releasing your energy? Some people tap their fingers on the table, some people clench and grind teeth, and some nibble. If it’s a snack you’re nibbling on, that’s one thing. However, if you have ever chewed a pen, pencil, or any such item, you are putting your teeth in danger.Constant chewing and grinding your teeth against foreign objects like pens and pencils can wear down the occlusal (chewing) surfaces of your teeth. When the shape of your tooth changes, your bite becomes misaligned. This condition is called malocclusion, and places undue stress on your teeth and your temporomandibular joints (TMJs). TMJ connects your lower jaw to your skull and allows for smooth jaw movement. A good rule of thumb to follow: if it isn’t food (or a dentist-prescribed appliance) it does not belong in your mouth.

Be Cautious

Even substances which are made for nourishment can damage your oral health if you’re not careful. Ice, for instance, can have the same effect on your teeth as a foreign object when chewed on or crushed between the teeth. Other foods contain high amounts of sugar and carbs that oral bacteria can turn into acid. The acid then attacks and weakens your teeth, allowing bacteria to invade the interior of the tooth and cause decay.

Visit your Moreno Valley Dentists

To learn more about habits that can destroy your oral health, or for a consultation, schedule an appointment at our Moreno Valley dentist office, contact us at (951) 697-6800.