Bad Oral Health Habits

You may think you are doing the right thing when it comes to your teeth and gums, but according to the American Dental Association, some of your oral habits may not be as healthy as you think.

Ice

Chewing on ice is a bad habit, and one that makes your dentist cringe. You may be saying it’s only water, but once it freezes, you could be setting yourself up for chips, cracks or even a broken tooth. Chewing on ice can also cause gum damage. Your blender has a special blade just for ice. You can only imagine what ice does to your teeth. Keep the ice in your glass and your dentist will be happy.

The Wrong Toothbrush

If you use a brush that is too hard it will cause gum recession and abrasion to the roots of your teeth. Your dentist recommends that you use a multi-tufted soft bristled toothbrush to avoid gum damage.

Brushing with Too Much Force or Too Frequently

Even if you are using a multi-tufted soft bristled toothbrush, you could still damage your teeth and irritate your gums if you use too much force. A gentle whisking action is really all you need to break up the plaque on the surface of your teeth. Brushing too often could also be damaging your teeth. Morning and night is sufficient as too much brushing, especially right after you eat, could cause enamel erosion.

Nail and Pencil Biting

Chewing on anything other than food will cause damage to your teeth and gums. Nail and pencil biting are nervous habits that could cause chips or breaks.

Grinding and Clenching

Known as bruxism, tooth clenching and grinding exerts excessive pressure on your teeth causing them to wear over time. Most people brux at night while sleeping, but clenching and grinding can occur during the day because of stress. If you are a clencher or grinder, call and schedule an appointment with your dentist for a custom fitted mouthguard that may help you stop bruxing.

If you would like more information regarding healthy habits for teeth and gums, call or click and schedule an appointment with your dentist today. 

Don’t Ignore an Abscessed Tooth

If you have been ignoring that toothache, you could be asking for trouble. Your dentist explains that a toothache could become infected causing a dangerous abscess. 

Colgate explains that an abscessed tooth is usually a very painful infection, however occasionally you may have an abscessed tooth and not even be aware of it, especially if the pulp, which is the nerves, blood vessels and tissue inside of the tooth, has died.

An abscessed tooth is commonly caused by tooth decay, tooth trauma or if the tooth has been broken or is chipped. Gingivitis and periodontal disease could also be to blame for an abscessed tooth.

You may have an abscessed tooth if you are experiencing throbbing, shooting, or sharp pain in a particular tooth or surrounding teeth. Other signs and symptoms of an abscessed tooth include: 

• Pain when you chew
• Fever
• Tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
• A bitter taste in your mouth
• Swollen glands in your neck
• General discomfort
• Chronic bad breath
• Upper or lower jaw swelling
• An open or draining sore on your gums 

As mentioned above if the pulp in the root of your tooth dies because of the infection your toothache may suddenly stop, however, that does not mean you that it has magically healed as the infection is still active and will continue to spread.

If you have been diagnosed with a tooth abscess, your dentist will come up with a strategy to help save the tooth and prevent additional complications.

To eliminate further infection, your dentist may drain the abscess with root canal therapy. Root surgery may also be needed to remove the root tissue that is infected. After the surgery or root canal therapy, your dentist will place a dental crown to help protect the tooth.

If the infection has severely damaged the tissue, your dentist may have to extract your tooth to allow for socket drainage. Your dentist may decide on an incision in the gum tissue to allow for drainage. This type of treatment also allows you to keep your tooth. Antibiotics will be prescribed as well to help fight off the infection.

The best way to avoid a nasty infection is to practice good oral hygiene that includes brushing twice and flossing once each day. Make sure that you eat a healthy diet and see your dentist twice a year.

If you would like more information regarding dental abscesses, or have a toothache that just won’t go away, call or click and speak to your dentist today.