Worst Habits for Your Teeth

We all have bad habits, like biting our nails and habitual lateness. However, some of our bad habits are harmful to our health, particularly our teeth. Our teeth experience natural wear and tear over our lifetime, so much so that sometimes seeing a cosmetic dentist in Mount Prospect is necessary. But some bad habits accelerate that natural wear and tear. Having a healthy, beautiful smile is important to most everyone. Smiling increases confidence levels, makes you look friendly and approachable and even puts you in a better mood. Keeping your teeth healthy so you can show off your smile is a great incentive to kick those bad habits. Here are the worst habits for your teeth and mouth health.

Chewing Ice

Crunching on ice is a common habit that is terrible for teeth. The cold temperature combined with the hard and jagged texture of ice can degrade the surface of your teeth. Our teeth are not designed to act as blades and crush against hard objects. Save your teeth and stop chewing on ice.

Brushing Too Hard

Many people think that the mere act of brushing your teeth is enough to keep them healthy. However, how you brush your teeth is just as important. Brushing too hard can wear down tooth enamel, irritate your gums, and cause tooth sensitivity. A cosmetic dentist in Mount Prospect will be able to tell if you are too rough on your teeth so kick the bad habit today. Be gentle and use a soft bristle brush, your teeth will thank you.

Thumb Sucking

Thumbing sucking when you are young may seem like a harmless habit when in fact it can lead to permanent changes to one’s teeth and jaw structure. Thumb sucking can cause misalignments of the teeth, which can lead to difficulty breathing and chewing later on down the road. A cosmetic dentist in Mount Prospect may be able to fix any future misalignments but try to help your kid kick the habit before it gets to that point.

At James Kakos DDS we understand that oral care isn’t just about dental visits, it also means engaging in healthy behaviors. Take care of your teeth now and they’ll be good to you for a lifetime. If you do find your teeth need some extra help, contact a cosmetic dentist in Mount Prospect. Make an appointment at James Kakos DDS and we’ll give you a healthy, beautiful smile you’re proud to show off.