5 Habits to Avoid if You Want Good Oral Health

Good oral health doesn’t just keep your smile looking great, it also helps your whole body too. In fact, studies have shown a direct link between gum health and overall health. When you have an infection in your gums, it can increase your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. So, maintaining a healthy smile is important!

However, there are some behaviors that you might be doing that can do more harm than good to your smile. Consider avoiding these habits: 

  • Brushing for less than two minutes
Brushing for less than two minutes

You need to brush for at least two minutes to do a thorough cleaning of your teeth. Otherwise, you risk leaving food particles and tartar, which can lead to cavities and other oral health problems.

  • Using your teeth like tools
Using your teeth like tools

When you get something in the mail, you may be tempted to open it with your teeth. Unfortunately, that can damage your smile and lead to restorative procedures you could have avoided. So, grab a pair of scissors and skip using your teeth.

  • Chewing hard candy
Chewing hard candy

Hard candy not only increases your exposure to sugar, but can also damage your tooth enamel. If you bite down too hard, you can crack or chip a tooth. So, if you want to enjoy some sweets, go for dark chocolate instead. 

  • Flossing or brushing at the wrong time
Flossing or brushing at the wrong time

When you brush and floss is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy. For example, you should wait at least 30 minutes after eating or drinking something acidic until you brush your teeth. It’s also essential to floss before you brush, so any food particles you pick up get cleaned away. 

  • Skipping dental checkups

Skipping dental checkups

If you haven’t had a checkup in the last six months, you are missing skipping essential good oral care habits. We’ll thoroughly clean your teeth to eliminate plaque and tartar buildup, but also examine your mouth for any underlying oral health issues.

Call 219-641-3422 or schedule online to set up an appointment at Van Buskirk & Krischke DDS in Crown Point, IN.