3 Oral Health Habits That HarmYour Teeth AND HOW TO KICK THEM
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. 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. 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. 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 kick, drink cold water through a straw or suck on an ice cube instead. 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.
BRAIN BREAK!
SMILE-FRIENDLY RECIPES
FESTIVE APPLE CIDER
If you’re cutting back on calories, skip the eggnog and buttered rum this year and fill up your mug with this delicious mulled cider!
Ingredients
• 1 lemon • 1 gallon pure apple cider • 1 large orange, thinly sliced crosswise • 2 tsp whole cloves
• 2 tsp allspice berries • 1 inch fresh ginger, thinly sliced • 2 tbsp honey • 3 cinnamon sticks
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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