{"id":325,"date":"2020-03-26T13:57:00","date_gmt":"2020-03-26T13:57:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/?p=325"},"modified":"2020-04-09T10:41:10","modified_gmt":"2020-04-09T10:41:10","slug":"3-bad-oral-health-habits-to-avoid-during-quarantine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flennikendental.com\/blog\/3-bad-oral-health-habits-to-avoid-during-quarantine\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Bad Oral Health Habits to Avoid During Quarantine"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Because of the coronavirus pandemic, more people than ever before are stuck at home. In addition, people are extremely stressed about the situation. As a result, many of them find themselves engaging in bad habits that can seriously harm their teeth. Here are some bad oral health<\/a> practices to stay away from during quarantine, and a few healthier alternatives to replace them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

Smoking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Many people start smoking as a way to take the edge off of this whole stressful pandemic situation, but it simply isn\u2019t worth it. Not only does smoking seriously stain your teeth, but it more than doubles your risk of developing gum disease, tooth loss, and cancer of the mouth, throat, and lungs. You\u2019re much better off quitting. If you need help kicking the habit, your doctor or dentist should have plenty of resources for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biting Your Nails<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Nail-biting is an awfully hard habit to quit, especially during these unprecedented times. However, it\u2019s incredibly unhealthy for your teeth. The force of nail-biting can cause your enamel to chip or break, which can be painful and expensive to treat. Wear a clear nail polish to stave off the desire to engage I this harmful habit. Another solution is to wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap it any time you\u2019re tempted to bite your nails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Constantly Snacking<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Since you\u2019re stuck inside all day, it can be tempting to spend your free time binge-watching shows you never got around to seeing before. While there\u2019s nothing inherently bad about that, there is something wrong with what we often do while binge-watching: constant snacking. Every time you eat something sugary or starchy, bacteria in your mouth feast on those food particles and leave behind an acidic waste product that causes cavities. Constantly snacking gives those bacteria ample fuel to cause tooth decay. It\u2019s much better for your oral health to stick to three square meals a day with only a snack or two in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthier Ways to Manage Your Stress<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Instead of partaking in the harmful habits described above, here are some more beneficial ways to deal with quarantine anxiety:<\/p>\n\n\n\n