This article, part 2 of 5, explores the top bad habits that could be wrecking the enamel of your

teeth and increasing your vulnerability to tooth decay and gum disease. In our previous article post, we began exploring the top bad habits that could be ruining the health of your teeth and the quality of your smile, including brushing immediately after eating and using your teeth as tools. In this, the second installment of a five-part blog series, this dual-degreed implant dentist in Chicago will walk us through even more bad habits that he has noticed with many of his patients. Remember, prevention is always better (and cheaper) than cure! In spite of the advanced capabilities of the implant dentist in Chicago, no tooth replacement solution on the market could ever rival having a full set of original and healthy adult teeth. Oral Surgeon in Chicago Advises: Bad Habit # 3 ~ Being Too Lazy to Floss

If you don’t own a reel of floss and have thus far ignored the advice of the oral surgeon in Chicago, then it’s time for a wake-up call. One of the biggest causes of gum disease and tooth loss (yes… tooth loss) is poor oral hygiene. And unfortunately for those who couldn’t be bothered, flossing is an integral part of a sound home oral hygiene routine. You could brush six times a day, says the implant dentist in Chicago, but if you don’t floss at least once a day (and preferably before you go to bed at night) then you are putting your oral health at extreme risk. Flossing is essential to remove the accumulation of plaque and food between your teeth. This in turn helps to prevent the build-

up of tartar, the formation of cavities and the onset of bacterial infection in the soft tissues surrounding the teeth. If this is not a language you can understand, says the implant dentist in Chicago, then imagine what all that bacteria and old food must be doing to your breath… and that cute girl or guy you’ve had your eye on!

Advice from the Oral Surgeon in Chicago:

1. Floss after every meal. 2. Keep a reel of floss next to your bed and in your bathroom; this will make it easier

for you to remember. Implant Dentist in Chicago Advises: Bad Habit # 4 ~ Juice, Coffee, Tea, Cola… Fruit juice, coffee, tea and cola shouldn’t be consumed as thirst-quenchers, says the implant dentist in Chicago. And by relying on these liquids for your daily intake of water, you are not only repeatedly bathing your teeth in sugar and acid, but exposing them to highly staining substances. Furthermore, when tooth enamel becomes discolored, it more easily harbors bacteria. Advice from the Implant Dentist in Chicago:

1. If you are thirsty, drink cold tap or mineral water, 2. If you need a sugar fix, drink 100% unsweetened fruit juice, 3. Limit your intake of coffee and tea, 4. If you need that caffeine fix, enjoy your coffee with a glass of water, 5. Do the same when enjoying a glass of red wine, says the oral surgeon in Chicago; the

water will help reduce acidity (and the affects of the alcohol!) Implant Dentist in Chicago: Bad Habit # 5 ~ Drinking Purified, Filtered or Bottled Water One of the most important sources of essential minerals for your teeth lies in the water we drink, says the implant dentist in Chicago. By drinking only purified, filtered or bottled water, you are actually starving your teeth of the minerals they need to remain strong and healthy. Drink fluoridated tap water with ice, advises this dual-degreed oral surgeon in Chicago. Or if you prefer bottled water, make sure it contains minerals such as calcium, magnesium and fluoride. Stay tuned for our next installment, part 3 of 5, on the Top Bad Habits that could be wrecking your teeth and ruining your smile…