Dental health is something people often don’t take as seriously as they should. And recent reports, including Australia’s Oral Health Tracker, find that people aren’t taking care of their teeth.
According to Australia’s Oral Health Tracker, half of adults don’t brush their teeth twice a day. And those who do brush their teeth don’t brush them nearly long enough. This is a problem worldwide and more dentists are seeing tooth decay in their patients.
Poor dental hygiene is a serious problem because dental health has a direct impact on the rest of the body’s health. Dental health issues can lead to more serious health concerns down the line if they’re not addressed early on. And because not everybody goes to the dentist on a regular basis, dental problems can go undetected until it’s too late.
Fortunately, there are ways people can improve their dental health on their own. One of the easiest ways to improve dental health is to avoid bad habits and food or drink that cause harm to teeth. Identifying habits and food or drink that should be avoided can help prevent serious dental problems.
Numerous people grind their teeth. Generally caused by stress and sleeping habits, grinding can take a toll on teeth health and strength. It can also lead to more serious problems, like TMJ disorder, which affects 35 million people in the United States. If people grind their teeth in their sleep, dentists often recommend wearing a night guard to protect teeth. If action is not taken, teeth grinding can cause chronic facial pain. And with 59% of chronic pain sufferers reporting a negative impact on their enjoyment of life, chronic pain is something no one wants to undergo. Because of this, it’s important to watch out for TMJ and TMD symptoms.
Consistent chewing and biting can also lead to dental concerns. Many people bite their fingernails or chew on ice as ways to relieve stress. However, biting nails or chewing on hard object like ice chips can cause significant damage to teeth. Tooth enamel can erode and the risk of cracking or chipping teeth increases with these habits.
Additionally, people should try to avoid sugary foods and drinks as much as possible. Soft drinks and sports drinks are often high in sugar and can lead to tooth decay. While the occasional sugary drink or snack is okay, consuming too much sugar on a regular basis will lead to teeth breaking down over time. So overall, it’s best to avoid soda, energy drinks, and sticky, gummy candies whenever possible.
Dental health should always be made a priority, especially when it comes to choosing food and drinks. By choosing to consume less sugar and other damaging products and changing a few bad habits, like not brushing teeth correctly, people can ensure their teeth will remain healthy and strong. In addition, making sure to visit a dentist at least twice a year for general dentistry services, prosthodontist treatment services, as well as cosmetic procedures like dental implants, Invisalign, etc. can help maintain good oral health.
