GeekOverGears.com | All Things Automotive

6 unhealthy habits that can damage one’s teeth

Besides enhancing one’s smile, healthy teeth reflect one’s personal hygiene and overall physical health. Unfortunately, over a quarter of adults in the country suffer from untreated tooth decay. Oral health is essential to one’s life and should not be overlooked. Timely detection of oral health conditions and a healthy lifestyle can help facilitate healthier teeth and gums. In addition, it is essential to avoid certain unhealthy habits that can damage one’s teeth:

Biting one’s nails
Nail biting is a common but highly unhealthy habit that can damage one’s teeth and jaw considerably over time. It can even lead to jaw dysfunction and cause teeth cracking and pain. Painting one’s nails is an effective way to curtail this habit.

Not gargling after every meal
Several food particles typically get lodged in cavities and between the teeth after meals. Gargling after every meal is essential to ensure that these particles get dislodged easily. Moreover, gargling removes tartar and bacteria accumulated in the teeth. One may use a mouthwash or simply gargle a solution of salt and water after meals to ensure good oral hygiene.

Grinding one’s teeth
Many adults are affected by teeth grinding, also known as bruxism. Often a subconscious habit, it can occur during the day in up to one-third of adults and at night in 1 in 10 individuals. This habit can restrict jaw movement and result in considerable muscular discomfort and pain. Certain jaw-relaxation exercises can help control one’s teeth grinding.

Using the teeth to open packets, bottles, etc.
Many individuals use their teeth to open packets, bottles, and other objects. While it may be convenient to use one’s teeth when no other equipment like scissors or knives is available, this habit can cause the teeth to chip or crack.

Chewing on ice
Chewing ice cubes can cause one’s teeth to break or become brittle. Thus, it is advisable to use a straw while having cold beverages to prevent ice cubes from entering one’s mouth after a drink.

Having too many sugary foods
Sugar has been long associated with tooth decay and pain. Sugar mixes with bacteria within the plaque in one’s teeth and eventually causes the enamel to dissolve. It may even lead to the need for tooth extraction over time. Therefore, it is important to avoid sugary foods in general and gargle or brush thoroughly in case one has a sugary treat occasionally. Replacing added sugar with natural alternatives like fresh fruits is also a good idea.

Besides avoiding the unhealthy habits mentioned above, it is also important to follow certain key oral hygiene practices, such as brushing one’s teeth twice a day and having calcium-rich foods for stronger teeth. Dentists also recommend regular teeth cleaning, typically every six months, to remove hard stains and tartar and ensure clean, white teeth.

Popular Reads

4 Small Pickup Trucks to Choose From

Small pickup trucks were once primarily used for hauling farming or construction equipment. Today, these vehicles also offer massive cargo space, extravagant passenger features, and rugged capabilities. And if you’re looking for such a vehicle, the number of options and price ranges can overwhelm you. To help filter your requirements is the first step to take. To shortlist your choices, here are our top four pickup trucks that truly give you bang for the buck. 2013 Toyota Tacoma The 2013 Toyota Tacoma is still a very popular truck for the regular pickup driver. It comes in different trim variants and is loaded with a variety of features. Moreover, it gives you an impressive cargo capacity for its size, making it one of the best pickup trucks. Depending on your needs you can either choose a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine that gives 159 hp or go for a higher 4.0-liter V6 engine that produces 236 hp. It’s available in both five-speed manual transmission or four-speed automatic transmission. You can even opt for a four-wheel-drive in case you offroad a lot. 2016 Chevrolet Colorado The 2016 Chevrolet Colorado is a comfortable ride with spacious and exquisite interiors. It is a compact truck that can be easily driven in the city while offering the capabilities of a full-size truck.

5 affordable crossover SUVs you can buy without thinking twice

Crossover SUVs offer tons of versatility in functionality at practically very affordable prices. Suitable for cargo as well as passenger transportation, crossover SUVs provide the best of both worlds. In addition to being a perfect combination of a passenger car’s fuel economy and a small truck’s cargo capacity, crossover SUVs prices are more pocket-friendly. Crossover SUVs bring in the sturdiness of a pickup truck, spacious cargo hold of hatchbacks, and passenger comfort of a minivan or a wagon. No wonder crossover SUVs have quickly become popular. If you are planning to buy one, here are some popular ones at affordable crossover SUVs prices. Hyundai Kona: With prices starting from $20,100, the Hyundai Kona has one of the most affordable crossover SUVs prices. At a budget price, this crossover SUV is replete with outstanding and significantly good features. These include a stylishly quality cabin with a user-friendly infotainment system, good crash test ratings, and agile handling. At such an affordable price tag, this crossover SUV is a catch. Kia Sportage: The Kia Sportage can easily accommodate five passengers within its spacious cabin. With a price starting from $23,990, the Kia Sportage is a compact crossover SUV that gives decent performance powered by an efficient four-cylinder engine.

What to consider before buying a Chevy Silverado 1500

Chevrolet has been a household name in the automobile industry for over a hundred years now. The auto giant earned a reputation for manufacturing some of the best pickup trucks in recent years and the Silverado series is one stellar example. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 is by far the strongest and technologically advanced pickup designed to get the job done, period! A bigger engine, better transmission, and stellar off-road capabilities rank the 1500 trims in a class of its own. Here are some of the key highlights of the pickup truck. Trims The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a true commercial workhorse that offers eight trim variants and three custom special editions. The heavier V8 engine trims can haul heavy loads for long distances, while the lighter Turbo trims offer the best fuel economy in its class. Towing and trailering also play an important role when it comes to choosing a trim variant. Engine and transmission The bigger the engine block, the more powerful is the pickup. You get multiple options for engines, including your standard V6 or V8 and the more fuel-efficient Duramax® Turbo-Diesel. The Silverado 1500 comes with a 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, or a 6.2L V8, all great engine blocks for the heavy trims.