Which habits, often uncontrolled, contribute to the deterioration of the condition of our teeth? Many of them are related to working in the office, such as chewing gum for hours, using teeth instead of scissors, and snacking at the computer. Students, pupils and computer players are also affected to a large extent. See how to take care of your teeth at work.
Below is a list of habits that negatively affect the condition of the teeth. Try to eliminate them to improve the condition of the dentition.
1. Teeth-destroying habits: sticking fingers in mouth
It is not only about the common biting of nails or cuticles, which is harmful not only to the teeth, but also to the hands. Very often people sitting in front of the computer simply keep their fingers in their mouths. Sometimes they nibble at their lips, pick at their teeth or… clean their nails this way! Employees browsing newspapers or counting banknotes often use their fingers to lick their fingers to help them handle the paper separation.
Each such operation carries millions of bacteria that we collect from the computer keyboard, telephone, banknotes or a shared kitchen or toilet. The moist and warm environment of the oral cavity is the perfect incubator for any germs that enter our body.
From here it is close not only to problems with gums and teeth, but also more serious infections of the body.
2. Teeth-destroying habits: chin support
Bored or thoughtful in front of the computer, we often use the hand that raises our chin. Thanks to this, we bite our teeth harder, which press against each other with great force. If something clearly angers us, we can also unconsciously grind them. Hence, one step to problems with enamel.
- Grinding our teeth and tightening them nervously usually occurs at night, when we have no control over our behavior. However, during work and the habitual support of the mandible, enamel erosion and cracking, and even abrasion of the tooth crowns or loosening of the teeth may also occur. The initial symptoms may be headaches, then toothache, hypersensitivity, up to loss of teeth - explains Mariusz Duda, MD, the owner of the Duda Clinic in Katowice
3. Enamel-destroying habits: teeth used as a tool
We do not suspect employees of opening capped drinks with their teethwhile working. But it is common to use teeth as scissors or pliers: for tearing threads and strings, for cutting adhesive tape, for opening wrapped products, for lifting clasps on all kinds of boxes.
It is also common to hold various types of office and teaching aids in the mouth, such as pens, pencils, rulers, and pins. In this matter, employee creativity knows no bounds.
Any contact of a tooth with a hard object can be disastrous. Apart from the penetration of microorganisms into the oral cavity, it may crack the enamel or chip the tooth. Some items may contain substances that are harmful to the body.
4. Teeth-destroying habits: chewing gum for hours
For some people, chewing gum is an addiction, a way to relieve stress, and a daily supplement at work. Sugar-free chewing gums taken right after a meal can restore the proper pH in the mouth, stimulate saliva production and help to clean the mouth. On one condition: chew the gum for a few minutes and not do it too often.
- Overuse of chewing gums can lead to a strain on the temporomandibular joint or masseter hypertrophy, which in turn leads to facial asymmetry. This situation applies to people who are used to chewing only one side of the mouth. Additional ailments may include abdominal pain or diarrhea, caused by excess stomach acids caused by the chewing reflex - explains Dr. Duda.
5. Teeth-destroying habits: snacking and sipping
Working in front of a computer is usually the ability to eat meals at the same time, at least the less complicated ones, and drink drinks at the same time. Unfortunately, this privilege does not always have a positive effect on our he alth.
Snacking is not good for your teeth. Saliva is responsible for cleaning the inside of the mouth. However, if we reach for another delicacy every now and then, its quantity becomes insufficient.
Thus, a deposit forms on the teeth, and the excess of bacteria from the decomposition of food debris promotes the development of caries. Therefore, it is worth specifying the time of taking meals also when performing sedentary work.
6. Teeth-destroying habits: office junk food
The condition of our teeth is significantly influenced not only by how often we eat, but also by what we eat. The ubiquitous vending machines with snacks and drinks, numerous points serving fast-food dishes tempt office workers at every step. And few have the strength to resist the temptation to buy something sweet or "quick".
There are many explanations: because I work hard, because I need energy,so that the brain works better, for stress, for failure, for boredom, only once a day. Added to this are sweetened drinks - coffee, tea and juices.
When combined, these products create a constant breeding ground for oral bacteria. Few people are persistent enough to carry sliced peppers, nuts, carrots or tomatoes to work instead of sticks, cookies and crackers.
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