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 It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

Braces as an adult? No way. At least, that was what I thought when my dentist told me that I was going to have to see an orthodontist about my crooked teeth. But my teeth were so misaligned that they were causing me pain when I chewed, so I decided to at least look into it. Turns out braces today are nothing like the ones my friends had when I was a kid. Mine were practically invisible, and I didn't need to wear them that long. I started this blog to encourage other people like me who are nervous about the prospect of wearing braces as an adult. My straight smile is so worth the trips to the orthodontist, and wearing braces was nowhere near as bad as I thought. Read on to find out more about how you can straighten your smile.

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It’s Never too Late to Straighten Your Smile

2 Things Your Dentist Wants You To Stop Doing

by Jacqueline Byrd

As you politely chit-chat with your dentist, you might wonder how they really feel about your teeth. Are your teeth worse than your husband's? Why are your gums so sensitive? Although your dentist might answer your questions with the finesse of a professional, he or she might wish that you would quit your bad habits. Here are two things your dentist wants you to stop doing, and how they could affect your teeth:

1: Stop Using Your Teeth As A Tool

Who has time to track down a pair of scissors when they need to open a bag of chips? When you use your teeth to rip open packages, pry open bottles, or crimp down metal, you are asking for painful dental fractures and cracks.

As your dentist inspects your teeth, he or she might notice signs of serious trauma caused by using your teeth like a tool. Unfortunately, the problem doesn't stop with a broken tooth. As soon as you have compromised the structural integrity of your tooth, it paves the way for bacteria to swarm the area and rot the surrounding structures.

To fend off problems, treat your teeth like the precious resources that they are. Never use your teeth like a multi-tool. Instead, keep your junk drawer stocked with an extra pair of scissors or pliers. If you unintentionally damage your teeth, talk with your dentist right away. Treating damaged teeth might help you to avoid making the problem worse.

2: Stop Brushing Too Hard

Scrubbing vigorously might work great when you clean your bathtub, but unfortunately, the same principle doesn't hold true as you brush your teeth. Because each one of your teeth are surrounded by soft, living gum tissue, brushing harder than you should could cause those gums to recede.

After a while, you might end up with exposed roots, which can lead to painful dental sensitivity. Fortunately, you might be able to avoid trouble by investing in an electric toothbrush. Some powered toothbrushes have pressure sensors that will actually cut power if they notice that you are brushing too vigorously.

If you know that you brush too hard, ask your dentist if your teeth show the signs of wear and tear. Your doctor might be able to recommend a different toothbrush, or show you ways to brush more gently.

Listening carefully for advice from your dentist might help you to improve your habits, so that your teeth can stay healthy and beautiful. For more tips, contact a clinic such as Mission Dental Center.

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