Stop Biting Your Fingernails
Your teeth are composed of a pulp center which houses all of your tooth’s nerves and living tissues. The layer surrounding the pulp center is the soft dentin. Both of these sensitive inner structures are protected by a hard outer layer of enamel. Your tooth enamel blocks bacteria and harsh temperatures from harming the inside of your tooth or causing pain.
Nail-biting Can Cause Enamel Erosion
Biting your fingernails, chewing on inedible objects, and crunching hard substances like ice can slowly wear down this hard mineral surface. Enamel erosion creates tooth sensitivity and a heightened risk of cavities. In addition, nail-biting introduces harmful bacteria that is trapped underneath your fingernails, which may cause illness.
Do Not Neglect Your Tongue
Have you ever experienced stale breath even after brushing your teeth? If you skip scrubbing your tongue, you may be leaving behind odor-causing bacteria. Brushing your teeth removes food particles and debris, preventing plaque buildup and tooth decay; however, brushing alone is not enough for complete oral hygiene. Use a tongue scraper or the bristles of your toothbrush to clean the bacteria that build up on the back of your tongue and create bad breath.
Your Tongue Shows Signs of Health Conditions
Your tongue can also give clues to certain oral health issues. Looking for signs of lesions, keeping track of sores, and paying attention to discoloration can help you discover health conditions early. For instance, if you notice a sore spot, or white splotchy substance that has not healed in 7-10 days, contact your Astoria dentist immediately, as this may be a symptom of oral cancer.
Quality Preventive Dentistry in Astoria
Stay tuned next week for more bad dental habits to avoid with tips from your family dentist in Astoria, Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz. If you have tooth sensitivity from enamel erosion, fluoride treatments may help you build back tooth strength. For more information about preventive dentistry, or to schedule a dental cleaning, contact our Astoria dental office at 718-728-8320. We proudly serve patients from Astoria, Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and surrounding areas.
