Do people look a tad uncomfortable when you’re talking? Well, it might not be because of what you’re saying, but because of the intolerable odor that you throw in their direction every time you speak. Bad breath and poor oral hygiene are the end product of a number of bad oral health habits. Read on to learn about these habits, and work towards avoiding them before your problems escalate into oral diseases.

Inability to brush, floss and rinse well

The simple routine of brushing for about 2 minutes, twice or thrice a day and flossing at least once is the dentists’ recommended prescription for good oral hygiene. The approximate 2 minute time frame includes rotating the brush all over the mouth and cleaning all the surfaces well in a circular and massaging motion. To keep track of this 2 minute time, it is a good idea to buy a brush with a built in timer. It is also important to replace your toothbrush every 3-4 months.
Flossing in between the teeth should be done daily as well. Consult your dentist to identify the correct flossing technique without damaging your gums.
Rinsing well also contributes to the process of brushing the teeth. This rinse can either be done repeatedly by water or by some mild mouthwash that helps drain all the hidden food from last night or all of the day.

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Not picking the right toothbrush

A lot of people believe that it is important to pick a brush that has hard, stiff and piercing bristles because that is what will get all the grime out of the mouth. In reality however, a hard bristled or natural bristled toothbrush will only irritate and aggravate the teeth and gums. This would definitely lead to some sort of infection and create sensitivity in the gums and teeth by damaging the enamel.
The correct choice would be to purchase a soft bristled brush. Either hand held or electronic, such a toothbrush would be suitably gentle on your teeth and gums.

Treating your teeth as tools

We’ve all have done it at some point or the other, whether we wish to admit it or not. Using our teeth to open bags, rip off clothing tags and sometimes even pop open soda caps. As harmless as it may seem at the time, it is a damaging action for the teeth. This causes many problems such as the chipping or fracturing of the tip of the tooth or weakening of your teeth.
Use the real tools that are meant for the job and stop scraping by using your mouth as a Swiss army knife. Apart from the breakage you have no idea about the kind of bacteria that lie on the objects that you simply pop in your mouth to open. So think about that the next time a buddy who is too lazy to find a bottle opener gives you the bottle of beer to open with your mouth.

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Actions like crunching, sucking, and sipping

The cool crunch of an ice cube in the mouth feels good but little do we know that the brittleness and cold temperature of that exact same cube of ice can cause microscopic cracks in the surface of the enamel leading to bigger dental problems over time such as tooth fracture.
Popcorn kernels and the pits of fruit such as peaches, apricots, and plums that people like to keep sucking on also put undue stress on a tooth and may cause it to fracture. Lastly, the sipping of sugary soda throughout the day and the constant exposure to sweet and acidic beverages can eventually cause some form of tooth decay.

Neglecting dentist appointments

As kids , a visit to the dentist used to be a threatening situation and would lead to tantrums and melodramatic fits. As you grow up however, its best to be a bit more responsible about dentist appointments.
Regularly visiting a dentist can literally help you preserve your teeth. It is advisable to get your teeth cleaned twice a year. In some cases, it is also suggested to see a dentist every three months to keep gum disease at bay.