Whether most of us realize it or not, we probably have a bad habit (or more than one) that is wreaking havoc on our teeth and therefore compromising our oral health. We only get one set of adult teeth, and despite dentures and implants have come a long way, there is no replacement for keeping your teeth for as long as possible.
The following are 11 bad habits that you may notice that you have and how they can compromise your oral health:
1. Biting Nails
Your nails are hard surfaces, and biting or chewing your fingernails is an ugly habit that not only leave you with sore fingers, but it can also wear the enamel on your teeth down over time. Losing the enamel on your teeth leaves your teeth susceptible to infections and cavities that you might otherwise be able to avoid.
2. Bit Pens/Pencils
Anyone who writes or takes a lot of notes has probably noticed themselves being tempted to gnaw wither on their pen or pencil when they are thinking or are waiting for their next cue to continue writing. However, enough nibbling on non-edible objects can cause your teeth to not only wear down but to chip or crack, which can lead to expensive dental bills as a result.
3. Brushing Too Hard
Many people have the misconception that vigorous brushing means cleaner teeth. Wrong! Instead, brushing too hard on your teeth wears the enamel down too fast, ruins your toothbrush, and leaves you more susceptible to cavities than you would use a soft-bristled brush and brushing in small, short strokes or dental circles as you clean each tooth.
4. Chewing on Ice
Chewing on objects that are too hard such as ice cubes can also lead to chipped and cracked teeth, as well as it can take the enamel off of your teeth leaving them susceptible to infections and cavities. Sucking on ice cubes is a much better option!
5. Clenching Jaws/Grinding Teeth
Clenching your jaws and grinding your teeth is common when you’re sleeping. Many people will find that their teeth show more general wear over time and find that their teeth might even flatten out if the grinding goes on long enough without intervention. A night guard can help you protect your teeth and stop the grinding that otherwise might ruin your smile.
6. Nutritional Choices
Poor nutritional choices can leave your teeth covered in corrosive materials and in sugars that slowly eat through the enamel of your teeth. Sugary snacks and lots of simple carbs that break down into sugars will leave you with a better chance of cavities, tooth decay, and rot in the future.
7. Smoking
There is nothing good that comes from tobacco mixing with your teeth. The tobacco can cause additional cavities, decay, and potentially even rot in your teeth. If you smoke or chew tobacco, you should kick the habit to improve your oral health.
8. Sports without Mouth Guards
Playing sports (especially contact ones) without mouthguards is a recipe for disaster. Flying objects such as body limbs, sticks, and balls are easily a way to lose unnecessary teeth and have to pay some medical expenses that you could easily avoid otherwise.
9. Thumb Sucking
Sucking your thumb is not only terrible for the skin on your thumb, but it can also leave gaps in your teeth (especially in younger children) from the force pushing them apart. Later this can require expensive orthodontic work such as braces.
10. Tongue Piercing
Tongue piercings that come with large metal balls or other metal objects getting inserted into the tongue is a way to accidentally bite down on metal and chip or break teeth. The metal in your mouth can also clank against your teeth and wear the enamel out, which leaves more chances for both cavities and tooth decay in the future.
11. Using Teeth As a Tool
Using your teeth as a tool is another way that many people chip, crack, or break teeth off. It’s an unnecessary dental expense that you can incur. The simple alternative? Use your teeth for what they were meant for, which is not to open cans, jars, bottles, or other packages!
These 11 aforementioned bad habits are just a few of the many ways that people chip, crack, break, or can otherwise harm their teeth. These habits may seem petty, but the dental bills that you can incur for being negligent and doing these things won’t be so small.
Conclusion:
At Smiles by Design, we are committed to providing you the best dental care possible. If you have engaged in one of these bad habits and have a tooth that needs to get fixed, please feel free to contact us and schedule your appointment to fix your teeth today! We are here and happy to help.