Habits to Break, For the Sake of Your Smile (and More!)

New Year’s Eve Resolutions…did you make some? Most of us did, but statistics show that not many last beyond a few weeks, or months at the most. Please take a moment to read about some habits we urge you to reconsider, for the sake of your smile, and your overall health as well. Some of these might take a few minor lifestyle changes, but the the toughest habits to break may have the biggest overall health payoff. Your family dentist in Grand Prairie, TX says hello t0 2020, and wishes you your healthiest smile year yet! We’ll start with a big one, and move on from there.

Habit #1: Stop Smoking, Nicotine and Tobacco Products

This is probably not news to you, but there are many drawbacks to smoking. The odor, the cost to your pocketbook, the cost to your teeth’s color, and the cost to your oral health. If quitting was easy, everyone would do it. If you need help, talk with your family doctor, or talk with us for ideas. This applies to stopping all tobacco use, including dipping and chewing, to lessen the risks of oral cancer. While vaping is too new to have long term study results, most dentists recommend strongly against it.

Habit #2: Biting, Chewing, Crunching

Teeth were meant for eating food, and when you nibble on fingernails, crunch or ice cubes, or snip off a price tag with your teeth, you are putting them at risk of chips and cracks. It can be a single instance that chips a tooth while opening plastic packaging, or the ongoing wear and tear of chewing on non-food items like pen caps or hard ice. It’s not the we don’t have restorative procedures to repair a chip or crack. But we know prevention is the best route to keeping a healthy smile.

Habit #3: Procrastinating About Appointments

Some people love to put off dental appointments. We aren’t sure why, because our office is attractive, with many amenities. The location is convenient, we have free wi-fi and there is ample parking. Whatever causes you  to delay or reschedule, we urge you to break the habit, and attend your preventive checkups and cleanings every six months. These appointments allow us to carefully and gently remove tartar deposit, which cannot be removed by brushing at home. We also look for signs of trouble so we can catch and repair it early. This includes tooth decay, signs of oral cancers, conditions that stress your teeth, misalignment and more.

Start the New Year With Fewer Habits that Harm Your Teeth

You don’t have to change everything at once, but we can advise you of harmful tooth habits, and offer suggestions for lifestyle changes that will benefit your oral health and your smile.  Learn more by coming in for a checkup. Set up an appointment in Grand Prairie, TX by contacting your dentist at Pecan Tree Dental to schedule a visit at (972) 262-5111.