While brushing and flossing your teeth as part of your daily routine is a great way to prevent gum disease, there may be more you can do. There are several bad habits that people pick up, sometimes inadvertently, that can cause gum disease. Knowing what they are can help you take even better care of your oral health.
Check out these four bad habits that can cause gum disease that you might want to quit: 
1. Smoking or chewing tobacco is the number one bad habit that can cause gum disease.
Smoking and chewing tobacco are bad for you for many reasons, but you can add that these bad habits can cause gum disease to that list.
Not only does smoking inflame your gums, but it can also result in tooth decay and bone loss. Chewing tobacco is even worse because you place it right next to your gums and teeth.
2. Opening packages with your teeth is another bad habit that can cause gum disease.
There’s a reason your mother always told you not to open things with your teeth. Ripping open plastic containers or other types of packaging can cut your gums and even break off a part of your tooth.
If you cut your gums, bacteria can more readily set in to cause an infection, and if you break a tooth, you’ll need some cosmetic dentistry to repair that.
3. Drinking acidic drinks like soda can cause gum disease too.
If you’re a wine lover, an orange juice fanatic, and a soda pop addict, you might want to curb your drinking amount. These are all acidic beverages that can affect your oral health. While beverages like orange juice have other health benefits, too much of a good thing can cause problems for your teeth and gums.
Acidic drinks can eat away the enamel of your teeth and leave them vulnerable to decay. They can also irritate your gums, creating a perfect storm for gum disease. Of course, you don’t have to quit drinking them all together, but moderation is key!
4. Biting your fingernails is another of those bad habits that can cause gum disease.
Are you a fingernail biter when you’re nervous? A lot of people are, but there’s a reason your parents might have told you to stop that.
As you go about your day, you pick up a lot of bacteria on your hands and under your nails. So if you bite your fingers, not only could that cause you to get sick, but it also introduces more bacteria into your mouth. It then becomes an ideal environment for gum disease.
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The professional staff at Grand Avenue Dental are happy to answer all your oral health care questions. We’re dedicated to keeping your smile bright. So call us today for an appointment.
