When you’re at work, it’s normal to focus more on your tasks than your smile, right? Right. Unfortunately, there are habits you might participate in at work that can harm your teeth and gums, so our dentist, Dr. Sajjad Ashnagar, encourages you to keep your smile in mind and avoid them at all costs. Some of those habits are:

-Using your teeth as tools: This means you use your teeth to tear off a piece of tape, rip open a package, or even hold pins in your mouth. Another harmful habit can be chewing on pens, pencils, and ice. These things can harm your teeth because they create tiny cracks in your tooth enamel. The more unnatural pressure you add to the enamel, the bigger the cracks can get, resulting in chipped and broken chompers.

-Smoking: Besides causing lung cancer, smoking can also cause oral cancer, tooth loss, gum disease, and even cavities. So, it’s important to avoid smoking altogether, even if you use e-cigarettes.

-Forgetting to brush: Now, it’s not typically normal to have a mid-day brushing routine, but we encourage you to make it a normal part of your day. If you brush your teeth after lunch, you can remove food particles and plaque from your teeth and gums, which can help you maintain a healthy smile. So, make sure to keep a soft-bristled toothbrush and toothpaste in your desk drawer.

If you have any questions or if you would like to know more about the harmful work habits for your smile, please contact Lake Highlands Dental at 214-613-1279. Our dental team in Dallas, Texas, is here to help you in any way we can, and we look forward to helping you have a healthier smile at work!