At Eagle Gate Dental, we believe in general dentistry as well as preventative care. Focusing on prevention and smart treatments is what makes us one of the leaders in promoting dental wellness in the Salt Lake City area.

Part of that preventative care means cluing in patients about bad habits and how they can improve their oral hygiene and dental habits at home. With that in mind, let's look at some of the bad habits that can have a negative impact on the health and beauty of your smile.

Smoking and the Use of Tobacco Products

Smoking leads to a lot of problems that affect your general wellness, including lung disease and heart disease. Tobacco products can also cause tooth discoloration, gum disease, tooth loss, and increased risk of oral cancers. This is just one more reason to quit.

Opening Items with Your Teeth

We've all done it. Sometimes you want to open a bag of chips or a Blur-ray package but you don't have scissors handy, so you use your teeth. This can lead to chips, cracks, and weakening tooth structure over time. If there's a job that calls for scissors, be sure to use scissors.

Biting Your Nails

Biting your nails when you're nervous isn't just a social no-no. It can also lead to tooth structure damage and weakened teeth. Ditch this bad habit to keep your smile healthy and to avoid awkward social situations.

Nibbling on Straws and Pen Caps

Old habits can die hard, especially when it comes to nibbling pens, pencils, pen caps, or drinking straws. As you may have guessed, this can all increase risk of tooth damage, so it's best to avoid doing this whenever possible.

Chewing on Ice

It's a nervous tick than many of us have, and it can feel kind of comforting on a hot summer day. Yet chewing on ice can also lead to tooth damage over time. Spare those molars and avoid chomping on that ice.

Not Brushing Your Teeth Enough

People should be brushing their teeth at least twice a day. “Should” doesn't always mean that it happens, though. If you don't brush your teeth regularly, the food particles and plaque will lead to serious tooth decay.

Not Flossing Enough

People often neglect to floss their teeth, which is something just as important as brushing. If you don't floss, you're more likely to experience tooth decay and gum disease. Take these matters seriously and be sure to floss at least once a night.

Not Wearing Mouth Protection During Sports

Mouth protection is crucial in contact sports like football and hockey as well as combat sports like boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA). If you are not wearing mouth or head protection, you are increasing your risk of dental injuries, such as chipped teeth and lacerations of the gums.

Eating Candy and Sugary Junk Food

Your parents were right: all that sugar will rot your teeth out. Candy and sugary junk food makes tooth decay more likely, so consider healthy alternatives and cutting back on all that extra sugar.

Drinking Too Much Soda and Sugary Drinks

Soft drinks and sugary drinks can increase your risk of tooth decay as well as the acidic erosion of tooth enamel. Try to limit your consumption of sodas, sports drinks, and fruit juices, and simply stay hydrated with water.

Thumb-Sucking

Thumb-sucking in children can alter the shape of the palate and lead to problems with dental alignment. If you have a child who sucks their thumb a lot, be sure to consult with a dentist or general practitioner to find out how to stop this behavior from recurring.

Learn More About Improving Your Dental Health and Wellness

To learn more about improving your dental health and wellness, be sure to contact our advanced dental care center today. The team at Eagle Gate Dental is here to help you smile with confidence and achieve total wellness.