10 habits that damage your teeth
10 things that can damage your teeth — and tips for breaking these harmful habits to improve your dental health. We all have bad habits we want to get rid of, or that we notice in friends and family. Here is a list of 10 common ones that take a real toll on your teeth.
1. Biting your nails
This nervous habit can affect your jaw. Holding your jaw in that position for long stretches puts pressure on the joint and can lead to jaw dysfunction. On top of that, biting brings harmful bacteria into your mouth, and because fingernails are hard, your teeth can wear down unevenly.
The fix: apply a bitter-tasting nail polish (usually clear) — it tastes unpleasant and reminds you to keep your fingers out of your mouth. Reducing stress and setting smaller, realistic goals also helps, and not just with nail-biting. If certain situations trigger it, keep something in your hand to occupy your fingers.
2. Brushing too hard
Brushing twice a day is one of the best habits you can build. Just make sure you are not brushing too aggressively. Most dentists agree that a hard brush and heavy pressure damage your teeth.
The fix: use a soft toothbrush. Think of it as a gentle massage — aggressive brushing can wear down enamel.
3. Grinding your teeth
This habit can cause visible damage to your teeth. You may also notice you cannot open your mouth as wide as before, or that chewing is painful.
The fix: relaxation exercises and a night guard. A bite splint worn at night reduces tooth damage, lowers pain and improves sleep.
4. Chewing ice
Tooth enamel is made of crystals. Ice is a crystal. When two crystals smash against each other, one breaks. Usually it is the ice — but sometimes it is the tooth or a filling.
The fix: drink cold drinks without ice, or use a straw to keep the cubes away from your teeth. The damage from chewing ice far outweighs the satisfaction of crunching it.
5. Using your teeth as tools
It is never a good idea to use your teeth to open a bottle or tear into packaging. This bad habit can lead to chipped or broken teeth — and in worst cases an implant to replace a damaged one. Reach for scissors or a bottle opener instead, and your teeth will thank you.
6. Constant snacking
Eating or drinking something sweet throughout the day can lead to cavities, because the pH in your mouth never has a chance to neutralize. When you eat, bacteria feed on the leftovers and the acid they produce can drill holes in your teeth.
The fix: eat balanced meals so you stay full longer. If you want a snack, go for something low in fat and sugar. If you do indulge in something sweet, follow it with a tall glass of water to rinse away the residue.
7. Smoking
Smoking stains your teeth, can cause lung disease and can even lead to permanent tooth loss. It dramatically raises the risk of bad breath and tooth decay. It almost goes without saying that tobacco products are the leading cause of oral cancer — and that includes shisha and e-cigarettes.
The fix: it is hard, but in the long run the only real solution is to quit.
8. Drinking too much coffee
Like cigarettes, coffee stains your teeth. Health problems only kick in when you add sugar.
The fix: try drinking your coffee unsweetened, and cut down on the amount.
9. Thumb-sucking
Toddlers and babies often suck their thumbs when teething or to soothe themselves, but from around age five and up, it is a habit to break. Once the baby teeth are out, thumb-sucking can lead to abnormal jaw development. The usual result is an overbite, which then needs orthodontic treatment to correct.
10. Not drinking enough water
Water is critical not only for your body but for your teeth as well. Teeth and gums can suffer from dehydration just like the rest of you. That can come from drinking too little water, or from breathing through the mouth. A glass of water after a meal — or after drinking something with strong color, like red wine — is also important for hygiene. It rinses away food residue and prevents staining.