subject: How Do I Quit My Bad Habits? [print this page] We all have our share of bad habits, and while they may occasionally annoy those with whom we spend the most time, they aren't often detrimental to our health. Unfortunately, however, orally-related habits like tongue thrusting and nail biting, among others, can cause interference with the development of our smiles, the condition of our teeth, and the overall health of our mouth. Yikes! So what can you do about it? Let me tell you!
Teeth gritting or grinding is fairly common among people of a wide variety of ages, but it seems to be most prevalent as a stress response. Many people do not even realize they are doing it, especially because it frequently occurs during sleep.
But as you can probably guess, this bad habit can wear down your teeth, or, at the least, you can suffer from jaw pain, headaches, and even earaches. One of the most widely accepted treatments is a customized mouth guard or splint created through a few visits with your dentist. This may not stop the habit altogether, but it is a viable measure to prevent more serious consequences.
Tongue thrusting is the act of pushing the tongue against the lower or upper teeth (or both), which can disrupt the normal alignment of the teeth over time. Most people who thrust their tongue forward like this are generally unaware of the behavior, and there are also varying types, but correction often involves a night guard or re-education to stop the habit altogether. If you, your spouse, or your child seems to have developed this behavior, have a conversation with your dentist.
Believe it or not, frequently drinking excessively hot beverages is a bad habit that needs breaking. I enjoy my fair share of hot coca, and my family members love their morning coffee, but hot drinks can not only kill off your taste buds at an alarming rate, but the heat can kill tissues over a period of years and is known to increase incidences of oral and throat cancers. Yikes! So do be careful. If your coffee, tea, or cocoa is burning your tongue, wait for it to cool down!
It is just as important to establish good habits as it is to break the bad ones. Make sure to keep up the oral care regimen your dentist recommends for your special needs. Don't fail to floss morning and night, and use mouthwash twice a day, too. Check in with your dentist regularly--you will be grateful you did!
