9 Unhealthy Dental Habits and How to Avoid Them
A set of pearly white teeth is a point of envy for many. There’s a lot you can do to maintain the health of your teeth that goes beyond regular brushing and flossing to avoid cavities. Being mindful of your daily habits and avoiding certain bad ones can help guard your enamel, improve gum health, and avoid bacterial buildup. Here are nine unhealthy habits to avoid for good dental health.
Chewing ice
Crunching on hard substances such as ice can cause the teeth to fracture or result in cracks and chips in the enamel. Over time, these cracks may deepen and lead to bigger dental problems.
In severe cases, people may also be required to make an emergency visit to the dentist. If you feel drawn to chewing the leftover ice after finishing your beverage, try to chill it beforehand (without ice) or drink from a straw so you are not tempted to chew the ice.
Biting your nails
This unhealthy habit transfers germs from your hands and nail beds to your mouth. Moreover, biting your nails regularly can cause breakage and even displacement of the teeth because of the stress. Over time, it may also cause jaw dysfunction and temporomandibular joint and muscle (TMJ) disorder as a result of constant protrusion and unnatural pressure.
Biting your nails
This unhealthy habit transfers germs from your hands and nail beds to your mouth. Moreover, biting your nails regularly can cause breakage and even displacement of the teeth because of the stress. Over time, it may also cause jaw dysfunction and temporomandibular joint and muscle (TMJ) disorder as a result of constant protrusion and unnatural pressure.
If you’re trying to break out of the habit of biting your nails, invest in a manicure that will encourage you to take better care of them. You can also experiment with bitter nail polish that will deter you from putting your fingers in your mouth.
Opening packages with your teeth
Your teeth are not meant to be used as tools to open packages and bottles. Doing so can cause injuries such as cracked or chipped teeth or even jaw damage. Take a short second to look for a pair of scissors or bottle openers and avoid using your teeth as tools. Store these in a location with easy access so you do not have to go looking for them when most needed.
Grinding your teeth
Many people end up grinding their teeth or clenching the jaws too tight as a reaction to stress, without even realizing it. This can cause chips or cracks in the teeth and pain or damage to the jaw. Some may even develop sleep bruxism, a condition where they clench or grind their teeth in their sleep. To avoid grinding teeth, it is important to find effective ways of managing stress and reducing caffeine consumption before bed. Dentists may also recommend using a mouth guard at night to help protect the teeth.
Consuming excessive sugar
Eating and drinking sugar-laden foods and drinks can also impact oral health. Candies, chocolates, sodas, energy drinks, fruit juices, and other sugary foods can damage teeth and promote tooth decay. Drinks like soda also contain additional acids, which can strip away the enamel and make you more susceptible to cavities and other dental problems. It is best to avoid these sugary foods and drinks as much as possible. However, if you are keen on enjoying them once in a while, have them during mealtime so the additional sugars can be washed away with the extra saliva produced.
Brushing too hard
Brushing your teeth is important for maintaining good oral health. However, brushing too hard can do more harm than good, as it can wear off your enamel, exposing your teeth to decay and sensitivity. Brushing too hard can also lead to gum bleeding and make them more sensitive to hot, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. Instead of rubbing your toothbrush against your teeth aggressively, opt for a gentle massaging motion and use an ADA-approved soft-bristled brush when possible.
Chewing on pens or pencils
When concentrating on something, many of us unknowingly begin to chew on pens and pencils. This can put unnecessary stress or pressure on the teeth, which may cause them to move, chip, or crack. It can also increase pain and sensitivity over time. So, avoid putting any items in your mouth other than food and beverages. If you must chew on something to help you concentrate, opt for sugarless chewing gum.
Thumb sucking
Kids that continue thumb sucking even after their permanent teeth have developed are at risk of permanently altering their tooth and jaw structure. It is important to wean them off this habit at an early age by keeping them engaged and occupied in other tasks, and helping them develop other self-soothing mechanisms to avoid any severe complications in the future. Some adults too suck their thumbs due to stress and anxiety, which may result in blisters and infections. To break this bad habit that can damage teeth, it is important to visit a dentist and practice stress management techniques.
Drinking too much coffee
Delicious as it is, drinking too much coffee can stain your teeth yellow. Adding sugar to your coffee can further increase the risk of tooth decay. So, be sure to rinse your mouth after drinking coffee to minimize the damage. You can also opt to sip your coffee through a straw, so it doesn’t remain in contact with your teeth for too long.
Opening packages with your teeth
Your teeth are not meant to be used as tools to open packages and bottles. Doing so can cause injuries such as cracked or chipped teeth or even jaw damage. Take a short second to look for a pair of scissors or bottle openers and avoid using your teeth as tools. Store these in a location with easy access so you do not have to go looking for them when most needed.
Grinding your teeth
Many people end up grinding their teeth or clenching the jaws too tight as a reaction to stress, without even realizing it. This can cause chips or cracks in the teeth and pain or damage to the jaw. Some may even develop sleep bruxism, a condition where they clench or grind their teeth in their sleep. To avoid grinding teeth, it is important to find effective ways of managing stress and reducing caffeine consumption before bed. Dentists may also recommend using a mouth guard at night to help protect the teeth.
Consuming excessive sugar
Eating and drinking sugar-laden foods and drinks can also impact oral health. Candies, chocolates, sodas, energy drinks, fruit juices, and other sugary foods can damage teeth and promote tooth decay. Drinks like soda also contain additional acids, which can strip away the enamel and make you more susceptible to cavities and other dental problems. It is best to avoid these sugary foods and drinks as much as possible. However, if you are keen on enjoying them once in a while, have them during mealtime so the additional sugars can be washed away with the extra saliva produced.
Brushing too hard
Brushing your teeth is important for maintaining good oral health. However, brushing too hard can do more harm than good, as it can wear off your enamel, exposing your teeth to decay and sensitivity. Brushing too hard can also lead to gum bleeding and make them more sensitive to hot, sweet, or acidic foods and drinks. Instead of rubbing your toothbrush against your teeth aggressively, opt for a gentle massaging motion and use an ADA-approved soft-bristled brush when possible.
Chewing on pens or pencils
When concentrating on something, many of us unknowingly begin to chew on pens and pencils. This can put unnecessary stress or pressure on the teeth, which may cause them to move, chip, or crack. It can also increase pain and sensitivity over time. So, avoid putting any items in your mouth other than food and beverages. If you must chew on something to help you concentrate, opt for sugarless chewing gum.
Thumb sucking
Kids that continue thumb sucking even after their permanent teeth have developed are at risk of permanently altering their tooth and jaw structure. It is important to wean them off this habit at an early age by keeping them engaged and occupied in other tasks, and helping them develop other self-soothing mechanisms to avoid any severe complications in the future. Some adults too suck their thumbs due to stress and anxiety, which may result in blisters and infections. To break this bad habit that can damage teeth, it is important to visit a dentist and practice stress management techniques.
Drinking too much coffee
Delicious as it is, drinking too much coffee can stain your teeth yellow. Adding sugar to your coffee can further increase the risk of tooth decay. So, be sure to rinse your mouth after drinking coffee to minimize the damage. You can also opt to sip your coffee through a straw, so it doesn’t remain in contact with your teeth for too long.
Following good dental hygiene practices and avoiding the above-mentioned unhealthy habits can help keep your teeth healthy.
Disclaimer:
The content of the articles discussing symptoms, treatments, health conditions, and side effects is solely intended for informational purposes. It is imperative that readers do not interpret the information provided on the website as professional advice. Readers are requested to use their discretion and refrain from treating the suggestions or opinions provided by the writers and editors as medical advice. It is important to seek the help of licensed and expert healthcare professionals when necessary.
