Nibbling on a piece of candy or a snack can bring serious satisfaction! So can nibbling on objects if you happen to have this sort of a habit. While you might not think much of this, such practices can actually become quite dangerous for your smile! Did you know that you might be causing all sorts of damage without realizing it? Let’s cover a few nibbling problems to avoid, so you don’t sacrifice your oral health.
#1: Nibbling On Food Or Objects As Habit
If you nibble on food or objects as a habit (like ice, pencils, pens, etc.), then you can open your oral health up to damage. First, biting down on objects and hard foods can chip your teeth or lead to serious oral issues like cracked teeth. You might also aggravate your TMJs, which can be bad news for TMJ disorder.
#2: Nibbling On Snacks (All Day)
Nibble all day and you’re not doing your oral health any favors. First, you may be keeping teeth exposed to an acid pH, which means over time, they’re more likely to develop decay. You might also exhaust your smile and TMJs, guiding you down a path toward TMJ disorder and possibly bruxism. Choose snack times, rather than grazing all day long.
#3: Nibbling With The Help Of Your Fingers
Yep. Even if you’re not nibbling excessively and causing yourself some oral health problems like exacerbated TMJ disorder, you might be someone who reaches with your fingertips for a quick snack. Unless you’re quite serious about hand washing, this may mean you’re introducing bacteria and germs into your system. Don’t do this! Use utensils or sanitize those fingertips first.
Keep Teeth Safe With Helpful Tips
We are happy to help you avoid problems like teeth damage and TMJ disorder with simple advice. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call Creekside Family Dental Care in Columbia, TN, today at (931) 388–3384.