Our oral health isn't only determined by how much we brush our teeth and floss, our habits and behaviors also shape it. Some habits that people do subconsciously, especially when nervous, have a very strong likelihood of damaging our teeth and bringing us serious dental complications in the future. Let's look at some of the most common.
Nail Biting
Many took up nail-biting as a subconscious reflex to being nervous. Because of their tough nature, many teeth end up chipped. When the teeth get chipped, you are likely to feel sensitivity when you take hot or cold drinks. To eliminate nail-biting, you can paint them with bitter-tasting nail polish and practice stress management techniques that will teach you alternatives to better deal with stressful situations.
Smoking
When some people are nervous, they tend to light a cigarette. Not only does it damage your lungs and heart, but it also does some serious damage to your oral health. Smoking causes bad breath, tooth discoloration, loss of taste, tooth loss, gum disease, and other oral cancers. If you want to mitigate the effects of smoking, speak with us today, and we can see how best to work around the problem.
Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, better known as teeth grinding, can happen either during the day or when you are asleep. This condition is often caused by anxiety and stress. Because of the constant friction, your teeth are worn down, which in turn exposes them to decay. Additionally, it might cause some serious strain on the gums, which can also be negatively affected. You can use a mouth guard to help with this issue.
These behaviors might help us to deal with feelings of nervousness and helplessness, but can be very detrimental to our oral health. Learning stress management techniques can help us quit and thereby keep our teeth's integrity intact.
Dental Blog - Lakewood, CO • Northstar Dental The doctors at Northstar Dental have provided this informative dental blog to provide education and information for the Lakewood and great Denver Colorado community. Click to view the latest posts. Northstar Dental, 860 Tabor St, Ste 100, Lakewood, CO 80401 ~ (303) 481-3901 ~ northstardentalco.com ~ 12/3/2024 ~ Page Terms:dentist Lakewood CO ~