Is Nail Biting Bad for Your Teeth?

Nail biting is a relatively common habit that affects people of all ages. There are many theories as to why people bite their nails, but most agree that it often stems from stress or may be an activity that is picked up as a child. At Cadena Dentistry, we want you to be aware that nail biting can cause dental problems and as much as we love to see you at the office, we’d like to save you from costly invasive procedures in the future.

When you bite your nails, your teeth are constantly chewing and this can interfere with dental occlusion. Your teeth may shift out of proper position, become misshapen, wear down prematurely, and become weakened if you bite your nails over time. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that frequent nail biters may rack up $4,000 in additional dental bills over the course of their lifetime, so think twice before you put those fingers in your mouth.

Patients might find that wearing a mouth guard can reduce nail biting and help prevent further damage to teeth. If you are a nail biter, give us a call to discuss your treatment options. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule a consultation at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

Diet and Your Dental Health

 

For healthy living and for healthy teeth and gums, it’s important to know that what you eat and drink and how frequently you eat and drink can affect your dental health. In fact, if your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars to carbohydrates from the foods that you eat to acids, and it’s the acids that begin to attack the enamel on your teeth, starting the tooth decay process. Here at Cadena Dentistry we can’t monitor your diet, but we can suggest foods that will benefit your overall oral health.

The best food choices include those from each of the five food groups. These include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids). Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits (apples and pears) and vegetables (carrots and celery). These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain and increases saliva flow which helps protect against decay.

If you have further questions about how your diet relates to your dental health, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.

For healthy living and for healthy teeth and gums, it’s important to know that what you eat and drink and how frequently you eat and drink can affect your dental health. In fact, if your nutrition is poor, the first signs often show up in your mouth. Bacteria in the mouth convert sugars to carbohydrates from the foods that you eat to acids, and it’s the acids that begin to attack the enamel on your teeth, starting the tooth decay process. Here at Cadena Dentistry we can’t monitor your diet, but we can suggest foods that will benefit your overall oral health.

The best food choices include those from each of the five food groups. These include cheeses, chicken or other meats, nuts and milk. These foods are thought to protect tooth enamel by providing the calcium and phosphorus needed to remineralize teeth (a natural process by which minerals are redeposited in tooth enamel after being removed by acids). Other food choices include firm/crunchy fruits (apples and pears) and vegetables (carrots and celery). These foods have a high water content, which dilutes the effects of the sugars they contain and increases saliva flow which helps protect against decay.

If you have further questions about how your diet relates to your dental health, give us a call. To learn more about the services we provide at the office, visit www.cadenadentistry.com for more information. To schedule an appointment with one of our doctors at Cadena Dentistry in Del Rio, TX, call 830-775-3322.