Bad habits that could ruin your teeth AND cause joint problems

Good oral health requires regular dental maintenance. If you keep your mouth clean with regular brushing, you will be better placed to fend off disease and decay.

Neglect can lead to a number of malign conditions, and a leading dental surgeon has warned that certain bedtime habits pose a threat to people’s oral health. Dr Gizem Seymenoglu outlined the behaviour to look out for that can be damaging to teeth and gums.

One of these is bruxism, a medical term for teeth grinding. If left unchecked, it could be harmful to certain joints and muscles as well as gums. While clenching in itself is not problematic, grinding at night can result in cracked teeth, muscle swelling and temporomandibular joint problems. This lower jawbone is essential for eating and talking. Given bruxism takes place during sleep, sufferers will not be aware it is even happening, but in some instances may awake with a headache or swollen masseters.

Snoring and sleeping with your mouth open can also be detrimental to oral health, with less saliva acting as a lubricant. As a result, teeth risk greater exposure to bacteria, with the potential for cavities and other dental complications.

You are also more vulnerable to bacteria-filled plaque when only brushing once a day. This can make gum tissue more susceptible to bleeding. People who wear dentures should be aware that leaving them in at night could allow sores and wounds to develop.

If you are concerned about your oral habits and are based in Cheshire or North Wales, book an appointment with Art of Dental Care today. We are experts in providing services such as dentures in Chester.