Taking care of your teeth is essential in keeping your smile beautiful and healthy. However, on some occasions, the daily routines we do may unknowingly hurt our teeth. These everyday habits bad for teeth can cause problems like cavities, sensitivity of teeth, or gum disease if we do not change them. In this article, we will explore a few of the things that you do regularly that hurt your teeth and how you can guard against them.
1. Skipping Brushing or Not Brushing Properly
Not brushing your teeth sufficiently or brushing incorrectly is one of the worst dental habits. You should brush your teeth a minimum of two times daily—once upon waking and once before sleeping. If you skip brushing, there is a buildup of plaque. Plaque is a sticky film of bacteria that forms cavities and gum disease.
Even when brushing, if you brush too rapidly or too vigorously, you can harm your gums or fail to properly clean your teeth. Dentists advise brushing gently and for two minutes with a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
2. Using Teeth as Tools
Sometimes, people use their teeth to open bottles, tear packages, or bite nails. This is bad because teeth are not made for these things. Using your teeth as tools can cause chips, cracks, or wear down the enamel. Enamel is the hard outer layer that protects your teeth.
If your enamel gets damaged, your teeth can become sensitive and more likely to get cavities. Always use scissors or other proper tools instead of your teeth.
3. Drinking Sugary Drinks Often
Soda, juice, sports drinks, and other sugary drinks taste good, but they can be very harmful to your teeth. Sugar in these drinks feeds bacteria in your mouth. The bacteria then make acids that eat away at the enamel, leading to cavities.
It’s better to drink water or milk instead of sugary drinks. If you do have a soda or juice, try to drink it quickly rather than sipping it all day, so your teeth are not in contact with sugar for a long time.
4. Chewing on Hard Objects
Chewing on ice, pencils, or hard candies might seem like a harmless habit, but it can hurt your teeth. Chewing hard things can crack or break your teeth, causing pain and sometimes requiring dental treatment.
If you feel like chewing something, try sugar-free gum instead. Chewing gum can even help clean your teeth by increasing saliva, which protects your teeth.
5. Grinding or Clenching Your Teeth
Many people grind or clench their teeth, especially when they are stressed or while sleeping. This condition is called bruxism. Grinding wears down your teeth, causes pain in your jaw, and can even lead to broken teeth.
If you think you grind your teeth, talk to a dentist near you. They might suggest wearing a custom mouth guard for teeth grinding at night to protect your teeth.
6. Not Flossing Daily
Brushing cleans the surfaces of your teeth, but it can’t reach between your teeth where food and plaque hide. Flossing every day helps remove this plaque and prevents gum disease.
Skipping flossing is one of the most common poor dental habits. It can cause bad breath, gum inflammation, and eventually tooth loss if not fixed.
7. Eating Too Many Acidic Foods
Foods like citrus fruits, tomatoes, and vinegar are healthy, but eating too much of these acidic foods can wear down your enamel. This makes teeth sensitive and weak.
Try to eat acidic foods with meals, not alone, and rinse your mouth with water afterward to protect your teeth.
8. Smoking and Using Tobacco
Smoking and chewing tobacco are very harmful to your teeth and gums. Tobacco causes staining, bad breath, gum disease, and even oral cancer. It slows down healing and makes dental treatments less effective.
Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your oral health.
9. Not Visiting the Dentist Regularly
Some people only visit the dentist when they have pain. But regular dental checkups are important to catch problems early. Dentists can find cavities, gum disease, or other issues before they become serious.
A good rule is to see your dentist every six months for a cleaning and exam. This helps keep your teeth healthy and strong.
How to Break These Bad Habits?
Now that you know some poor dental habits that can harm your teeth, here are some tips to keep your smile healthy:
- Brush your teeth gently at least twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss daily to clean between your teeth.
- Avoid using your teeth as tools.
- Limit intake of sugary and acidic drinks and foods.
- Don’t chew on hard objects like ice or pencils.
- If you grind your teeth, ask your dentist about a custom mouth guard.
- Quit smoking or using tobacco products.
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
Taking care of your teeth is a daily job, and avoiding everyday habits bad for your teeth will help you keep a healthy smile for a long time. Remember, good habits now can prevent pain and costly treatments later. Your oral health is part of your overall health, so treat your teeth with care every day.
Protect Your Smile with Expert Care!
Charles Martin DDS is a trusted dental office where your oral health is our top priority. We offer general dentistry services like cleanings, exams, and more to keep your teeth and gums healthy. Our friendly team uses modern tools to give you the optimal care in a comfortable setting. Whether you need a checkup or dental treatment, we are here to help.
Schedule your appointment today and take the first step toward a healthier smile! Call us now or visit our office.