Bad Oral Habits Lead to Oral Health Issues

Oral health is a major concern for most people. However, some fail to give due importance to their oral health. This can result in serious dental problems that can also affect overall health. Listed below are some habits that can damage your oral health:

Tongue Piercing

A tongue piercing can stick through the tissue on the roof of the mouth and damage your tooth crowns. It can irritate the soft tissue and chip your tooth enamel, leading to serious oral health issues.

Additionally, this type of jewelry can wear down the teeth and its constant motion can also irritate the gums. Pain, bleeding, or other signs of infection may occur if the oral piercing isn’t removed in a timely fashion. 

Cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush and mouth rinse twice a day can help reduce the risk of infection. Avoid eating sticky or chewy foods that can get stuck around the metal post and cause irritation. 

Teeth Grinding

One of the most common oral habits is teeth grinding, also called bruxism. It is related to stress and typically occurs while you are asleep. If not addressed right away, it can lead to severe complications such as broken and chipped teeth or chronic headaches and migraines. Moreover, it can ruin the alignment of your teeth and make them appear shorter.

If your partner notices that you snore loudly at night or your breathing pattern is interrupted while you sleep, it might be a sign of sleep apnea that can also cause teeth grinding. It is imperative to visit a sleep center immediately if you suffer from any of these symptoms.

Nail Biting

Many people bite their nails without even realizing it. While nail biting may seem like a harmless habit, there are actually several negative oral health effects that come from repetitively biting your nails. For one, you can chip and damage your front teeth from chewing on your nails. 

You also put yourself at risk for infections such as paronychia or gum disease that can result from bacteria entering your mouth via the nail bed. If you notice that you frequently have hangnails or wounds on your fingers, you could be biting your nails subconsciously. Try to break this habit for good by substituting the behavior with something less detrimental, like chewing gum instead!

To learn more about our dental procedures, call us at (909) 823-7567 and schedule an appointment with our dentist in Fontana, CA.