Many Habits are Bad for Your Teeth
Your teeth are one of the toughest parts of your body. After all, they have to be if they are going to be used to chew through food. However, even being so durable, they are not indestructible. They can still suffer damage like the rest of your body.
From sports injuries to dental emergencies, there are many things that can harm your teeth. However, did you know some things you do every day put your teeth in danger, as well? That’s right! People engage in several bad habits that harm their teeth. Many of these habits seem safe enough, but they can do real harm.
You might not even realize you do these bad habits. Regardless, they still put your teeth in danger. Your teeth serve a purpose. They help you eat, they give your face form, and they even help you talk. Because they do so much for you and your body, you must take all the necessary steps to protect them.
There are many bad habits that you might be doing that harm your teeth. You may not know how bad some of them are for your teeth. Today, we plan on taking a look at some of these habits to help you learn what to avoid. However, if you have any dental emergencies or need a dental cleaning, give Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas a call today.
1.) Nail Biting
Everyone has bitten their nails at least once before. However, many people cannot seem to stop doing it. For some, it’s a nervous tick. For others, it’s a conscious decision they make instead of nail clippers. Regardless, it is bad for your teeth.
Biting your nails can cause your teeth to chip and can also splinter your enamel. Not only that, but it can also impact your jaw. Putting your jaw in a protruding position puts pressure on it.
2.) Eating Sugary Snacks
Your teeth serve the purpose of helping you chew and break up food for digestion. However, there are many foods that are not good for the health of your teeth. Sugary treats, such as candy, pose a threat.
Acid-producing bacteria consume the sugar in your mouth, creating plaque and tartar that eat away at your enamel. Chewy and sugary treats are particularly dangerous. They stick to your teeth longer, giving bacteria more time to consume it.
Avoid foods that are high in sugar and are too chewy. Reach for fruits and vegetables. If you do want to have a sugary snack, eat it with a meal. As you eat, your mouth produces more saliva, which helps wash away excess sticky, sugary residue.
3.) Dr.inking Soda
Soda is almost always bad for your teeth. Similar to sugary snacks, sodas contain large amounts of sugar that coat your teeth, providing bacteria with plenty of sugar to consume. They then produce acid that eats away at your enamel.
If you think sugar-soda is any better, you are mistaken. Most carbonated beverages tend to be acidic. Even the acidity of diet soda destroys your enamel. If you do drink soda, do not drink it slowly. The harmful effects of soda worsen if you sip it over a longer time.
4.) Using Your Teeth as a Tool
You should never, under any circumstances, use your teeth as a tool. Many people will use their teeth as a tool to open packages or cut tags. As we said earlier, your teeth help you eat, speak, and give your face form. They are not supposed to be used as scissors or pliers.
When you use your teeth as a tool, you increase the risk of teeth cracking or injuring your jaw. Additionally, the risk of accidentally swallowing something and choking also increases. While it may be convenient in the moment, it is not worth it long term.
5.) Chewing Ice
Chewing ice may seem harmless, but it poses a greater threat to your teeth and oral health than you might realize. Ice’s cold temperature and hardness make it harmful to teeth. Even though your teeth are used to chewing through things, they are not used to crushing against them, as is the case with ice.
While most of the time, the ice is the one that breaks, there is a risk that your tooth may chip or crack. The cold temperature can even irritate the soft tissue inside a tooth. Remember, a blender needs special blades to cut ice.
6.) Grinding or Clinching Your Teeth
This bad habit is much harder to recognize than others. Often, people do not realize that they are even doing it. For some people, stress and anxiety lead to frequent jaw clenching or teeth grinding.
When you grind your teeth, you put an immense amount of pressure on them. This pressure will eventually cause your teeth to crack over time. It will also lead to joint pain and muscle tenderness in your jaw.
Unfortunately for some, they grind their teeth in their sleep. They often only notice it due to toothaches or muscle soreness. For many, they don’t realize until it is too late. Sleeping with a night guard is often the best way to combat nighttime teeth grinding.
7.) Brushing Too Hard
Far too many people think the harder they brush, the better it is, which couldn’t be further from the truth. When you brush your teeth too hard, you wear away at the enamel on your teeth. The plaque on your teeth is soft and loose, so there is no need to brush hard.
Think about brushing your teeth like massaging them. Brush in an up and down circular motion gently.
8.) Smoking or Chewing Tobacco
Smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco are some of the worst things you can do not only for your mouth but also your entire body. Each product contains cancer-causing ingredients.
Not only that, but they also stain your teeth, cause gum disease, lead to halitosis, and cause many more dental and oral conditions. Continued use often leads to tooth decay and tooth loss.
As you can see, there are plenty of bad habits that cause harm to your teeth. While many of them seem harmless, they put a lot of stress on your teeth, often leading to damage. If you notice that you do any of these bad habits, make a concerted effort to stop. However, if you have already suffered tooth damage, contact Cosmetic & Family Dentistry of Las Colinas today.
