Job stress, relationship problems, boredom and an overactive mind can really cause some damage to your teeth. Save yourself time and money by avoiding these five habits.
Grinding and Biting
Nighttime grinding is one of the most common causes of chipped teeth and broken fillings. Waking up with a headache or sore jaw is a tell tale sign of grinding and it’s probably time to look into TMJ therapy. We often see nervous folks biting their fingernails, pencils and the inside of their lips, all of which can cause chipping and cracking of the front teeth and sometimes tissue changes that need to be biopsied.
Chew Toys
We’ve all seen people chomping away at their gum so feverishly they look like a cow chewing cud. There are documented cases of people even chewing on their shirts sleeves and purse handles! These are signs of stress and should be avoided. Although brief sessions with sugar free gum can actually be helpful, hours of chewing gum and candy can wear out the jaw joint causing muscle pulls and pain.
Harmful Drinks
An occasional glass of wine is reported to be good for your health but drinking to alleviate stress can turn into a very bad habit. Higher acid levels and dehydration are damaging to enamel. Soda and energy drinks are two of the worst liquids for the teeth, so it’s best to limit these as much as possible.
Smoking
No matter how you try to rationalize it, smoking is one of the top risk factors for tooth loss. Chemical, heat and bone damaging properties can damage your immune system and your ability to fight off infection. We hope that smokers find ways to relax while staying away from tobacco.
Forgetting Your Good Habits
Nervousness also leads to forgetfulness. Skipping your brushing and flossing sessions can lead to infection and decay. When you are stressed, you may also get sick more often, so it’s important to give your body the most attention while you need the TLC.