Some habits that seem innocent are actually very harmful to your oral health. We often find that patients are surprised how certain behaviors affect their teeth and gum tissue. Are you harming your teeth and gums with common bad habits? Dr. Ann Kania and our staff address some harmful habits below and explain how they damage your oral health.

Brushing Teeth Too Vigorously

You may think that if you brush your teeth harder, you will have a cleaner mouth. While this technique may work for scrubbing dishes and floors, it’s actually harmful for your teeth and gum tissue and does not produce a cleaner mouth. Brushing too vigorously will damage your tooth structure and cause your gum line to recede—affecting your tooth’s natural bond to your gum tissue.  Firmer bristles are often a larger diameter.  This larger diameter can only work above the gum line.  Only soft, small diameter bristles can gently clean below the gum where plaque hides.

Chewing on Hard Objects

Chewing on hard objects such as ice cubes or pen caps will destroy your tooth enamel over time. You can also damage your enamel if you use your teeth as tools to tear away a clothing tag or a product’s packaging. These actions create microscopic cracks in tooth enamel, which leave your teeth vulnerable to decay and fracture.

Forgetting to Floss

Flossing is one of the most important things you can do for your oral health. When you forget to floss, debris and plaque become stuck in the crevices of your teeth that your toothbrush cannot reach. Flossing daily cleans in between your teeth and reduces the likelihood of plaque hardening into tartar. When plaque is left behind from brushing or inadequate flossing, it hardens into tartar in a short time. Tartar accumulates along the gum line and contributes to periodontal disease.

Dr. Kania recommends breaking these bad dental habits and visiting our Encinitas periodontist office regularly for examinations and cleanings. To schedule an appointment, contact us at (760) 642-0711. We serve patients from La Costa, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, Carlsbad, Encinitas, San Diego, and the neighboring communities.