We have already established the importance of maintaining our oral health. Certainly, it goes beyond the basics of regular brushing and flossing. You have several habits and lifestyle choices you don’t know that might harm your dental health. From the food you eat to some of your daily activities, these can have harmful effects on your teeth causing tooth decay. Hence, it is essential to identify those practices that are secretly taking your oral health down. According to the best dentist in Kolkata, discard these common habits to avoid dental issues.

Teeth Grinding and Clenching

Almost everyone does this when they are anxious or under too much stress. It does not seem like a voluntary activity as it is an unknown reaction to pressure and worries. Repeated teeth grinding and clenching cause chipped and loose teeth, cracked tooth enamel or bone problems. You might not even realize that you do this because it happens mostly during your sleep. The best solution to this is to stay calm and relaxed before you go to sleep.

Constant Munching

If you are an ardent food lover and can’t keep your hands off snacks, your teeth might be in trouble. Similarly, if you eat without keeping an adequate gap between your meals, you are risking your teeth with plaque build-up. This is because the food stays in your mouth longer than usual when you are continuously munching. Even if you need to snack so often, consume healthy food like fruits that will reduce plaque accumulation.

Pen/ Pencil Chewing

Many people have a continuous urge to chew something when they are deeply thinking. Mostly it is the back of a pen or pencil that bears the brunt of it. This puts pressure on the teeth that cause them to fracture gradually. Furthermore, it can enhance your teeth-grinding behaviour. The best dental doctor in Kolkata suggests chewing sugarless gum to tackle this nervous habit of yours. Another benefit of sugarless gum is that it cleans your mouth and washes off acid, if any.

Eating Potato Chips

All students will agree that potato chips are a staple food item that helps them sustain in school or university. It is a study partner, canteen regular and boredom fighter as well. However, what you don’t know about it is that its high starch content is bad for your dental health. It sticks to your mouth and invites bacteria to form plaque. So, if you wish to keep enjoying the crunch of potato chips, cleanse your mouth thoroughly soon after eating it.

Coffee and Tea Intake

Oops! There’s some bad news for all the coffee and tea lovers out there. It is no secret that some of you can’t get through a day without having tea or coffee. There is no problem with it. The issue arises when you drink these in an absurd amount daily. Firstly, it causes tooth discolouration; secondly, the sugar puts you at risk of tooth decay and thirdly, it slows down saliva production giving you a dry mouth. Hence, watch your hot beverage intake if you don’t wish to undergo a root canal treatment in Kolkata.