3 ORAL HEALTH HABITS THAT HARMYOUR TEETH
The Solution: The good news is that most people quit biting their nails after age 30, but don’t rely on your age to kick this habit. Try applying bitter-tasting polish or chewing sugar-free gum to deter you from nail-biting. Or if your nail-biting is stress-induced, try meditating to reduce your stress.
We all have quirky habits. Most are benign, but some can be harmful. If you chronically bite your nails, chew ice, or use your teeth as a tool — three common bad oral habits — try these solutions to protect your teeth from potential damage and pain.
TEETH AS TOOLS: Our pearly whites are perfect for grinding our food and helping us speak, but that’s about as far as their usability as tools goes. Opening ketchup packages with your teeth or placing a few screws in your mouth as you hang a photo can be handy, but doing so could crack or damage your teeth. The Solution : Use actual tools! Open your condiment packets and other tricky containers with scissors. When doing home projects, use a tool belt or ask someone to hold your screws so you don’t choke or damage your teeth.
CHEWING ON ICE: It’s a mindless habit, really. At the end of our glass of water — or tooth-decaying sugary soda — we chomp on the ice at the bottom of the glass. But the combination of the hard ice and cold temperature can create small cracks along your tooth’s enamel, which increases the likelihood that your tooth will crack or chip.
The Solution: If you’re chewing as a way to occupy your mind, swap the ice with
sugar-free gum! If you really want that ice-cold feeling, drink cold water through a straw or suck
on an ice cube instead.
BITING YOUR NAILS: If this nervous habit is one of your vices, you’re not alone. About 20%–30% of the population succumbs to nail-biting, nearly half of whom are teenagers. Biting your nails can chip or crack your teeth, and the nail pieces can get stuck in your gum line and potentially cause infection.
Struggling with one of these habits? Let our team know at your next appointment! We can help you find solutions and develop good oral habits.
Have a Laugh!
Festive Apple Cider
Ingredients
Inspired by BoulderLocavore.com
• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks
• 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves
Directions
1. Using a paring knife, shave the lemon peel off in curls. Reserve the curls and save the lemon for use in a different recipe. 2. In a large slow cooker, combine the lemon peel with all other ingredients. Cook on low for 3–4 hours.
3. If desired, use a sieve to strain the spices. Serve and enjoy!
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