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Are your habits causing permanent damage to your teeth? Are you unknowingly putting your oral health at risk? More than likely, you engage in at least one behavior that is harmful to your teeth and gums. In fact many of our patients are often surprised to learn how common behaviors actually do harm to oral health. Our team at Dental Associates of Riversideexplains how common habits may negatively impact the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth.

Habit #1: Forgetting to Floss

When you brush your teeth, you are only cleaning about 70 percent of your mouth. Even if you brush your teeth correctly, your toothbrush cannot clean between your teeth effectively. When you floss, you clean the hard to reach areas between your teeth and disrupt plaque buildup along the gum line. When plaque mixes with calculus deposits, it hardens into tartar. By forgetting to floss, you increase the likelihood of tartar buildup which contributes to gum disease. Because plaque can harden into tartar within two days, Dental Associates of Riverside strongly encourages patients to floss at least once a day to maintain a clean, healthy mouth.

Habit #2: Chewing on Hard Objects

Do you chew on ice cubes or pen caps? If you do, you could potentially permanently damage your tooth enamel. When you chew on hard objects other than food, it can wear tiny cracks in your tooth enamel. Over time, the sensitive interior structures of your teeth will become exposed to harmful bacteria.

Habit #3: Skipping Dental Checkups and Cleanings

Our team at Dental Associates of Riverside understands that our patients live very busy lives. However, we believe it is important to make time for oral healthcare. You should schedule a yearly dental checkup along with dental cleanings every six months. During routine oral examinations, our team will screen for potential problems with advanced diagnostic technology such bone loss, oral cancer, and gum disease. Dental cleanings are imperative to maintaining a healthy and clean mouth because tartar accumulation can only be removed by special dental tools.

For questions or to schedule an appointment for cosmetic, general, or restorative dentistry, contact our Riverside dentist office at (951) 369-1001.