An advantage to your routine dental visit is the opportunity to discuss your homecare habits and your lifestyle habits. You may not realize the impact that these habits have on your overall dental health, but trust your dentist in Plano to provide valuable insight. Your dentist and staff can help to identify harmful habits and suggest solutions or alternatives where damage may have already occurred.

Think about some of these more common harmful habits:

Bruxism- Of all the potentially harmful dental habits, bruxism may possibly be the biggest culprit. Defined as clenching and grinding of the teeth, bruxism can cause damage by wearing away the enamel, leading to chipped and fractured teeth. Bruxism patients may also notice frequently broken crowns and fillings, pain to the jaw joint, headaches, and neck pain. Chronic bruxism also leads to increased bone loss, a primary symptom of periodontal disease. Typically occurring during sleep, concentration, or during periods of stress, most patients are unable to control their bruxing habit. In these instances, your dentist may prescribe a protective mouth guard.

Chewing/biting hard objects- Frequently subjecting the teeth to extreme forces can lead to unexpected damage to the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth. For instances, chewing cubed ice and biting nails, pencils and pens can cause fractured enamel. This type of trauma and stress can also be harmful to the vital nerve inside the tooth. In addition, the possibility of accidently cutting your lips, cheeks, tongue, or gums on sharp edges is increased. By frequently chewing hard objects other than food, you may also introduce the risk of choking or aspiration.

Failure to seek routine dental examinations- Avoiding or missing your routine dental visit should also be considered in terms of harmful dental habits. Many common and easily treated dental diseases can be prevented, identified, or resolved with early intervention. Your dentist’s expertise and state-of-the-art equipment can often uncover a potentially harmful dental issue well before you experience pain or sensitivity. By avoiding or delaying treatment, the resulting damage can be irreversible, leading to tooth loss and unnecessary pain.

For questions about other potentially harmful habits, or for a thorough examination to prevent future damage, call the office of Dr. John M. Hucklebridge for your appointment today.