BAD ORAL HABITS

Hello Steemit friends! 👋🏾
So today we are delving into a subject that can be easily ignored but is vitally important for our overall health: oral habits. From childhood to adulthood, the way we treat our mouths has an effect on more than just our smiles. Bad oral habits, how we develop them, and how we can break free from them, let’s dive in.

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Bad Oral Habits: What We Must Know and Avoid!

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Name the most common bad habits we acquire as children?

Childhood is so formative, and it’s where we can learn so much — for better or worse in terms of habits — that can follow us for years to come. Some of the worst oral bad habits kids can develop from doing that are:

Thumb sucking

Lip biting or chewing

Mouth breathing

Tongue thrusting

Nail biting

Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Biting pencils, pens or other non-food objects

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If these behaviours, even when they seem innocent, are not prevented right at the start, they can lead to the development of long-term dental problems including misaligned teeth, speaking problems and jaw pain.

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Tell me if you have had any bad oral habits and how you acquired them.

Have I Had Any Bad Oral Habits?

Yes, I'll admit — I've been a habitual nail-biter since I was a kid, and to be perfectly honest, the habit has been a tough one to break over the years. It began primarily as a response to anxiety or boredom — during exams, watching TV or contemplating deeply. I'd never really given it much thought until I started to notice how it was effecting not just the way my nails looked, but also my teeth and gums. The nail-biting habit can chip front teeth and even wear down the enamel, it can irritate the gums, and it can add germs to the mouth from the fingers. I’m trying to break free from it — still not there yet — and the first step to stop a habit has to be acknowledging it.

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How can we eradicate this type of bad habit?

It is possible to break free from these habits, but it takes time and deliberate work:

Acknowledgment: First, recognize the habit. We do these so much unknowingly most of the time.

Trade out the habit: Offer yourself a healthier substitute (like chewing sugar-free gum instead of nibbling nails).

Behavioral strategies: Employ reminders, reward systems and, where necessary, get help from a dentist or psychologist for lingering problems.

Parental intervention: For children, a little bit of early correction via gentle discipline and professional advice can work wonders.

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How can we avoid falling into these bad habits?

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure! Here are a few things you can do to steer clear of not-so-great oral habits:

Start young: Get kids understanding the value of good oral care from a young age.

Reduce stress: A lot of habits develop because of stress and anxiety. Learn how to handle stress in a healthy way.

Regular dental visits: Regular checkups can identify habits early, before they do any serious damage.

Mindfulness: Be in the moment and be very conscious of what you’re doing all throughout the course of the day, especially during down moments or stress.

Final Thoughts

Undesirable oral habits often begin innocently enough, but soon they lead to significant dental problems. Whether you are a parent wanting to address your child, or an adult wondering how to undo such habits, never forget — there is nothing better than learning anew. A healthier smile starts with better habits today. 😁✨

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I'm excited to invite you,
@pandora2010
@suryati1
@isha-rehman

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Thanks for reading!
Have you ever had a bad oral habit? How did you deal with it? Share your thoughts in the comments below! 🗨️👇🏾

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