We all have our little quirks and habits. Some of them might seem harmless, but they can actually be doing some serious damage to your teeth.
In this blog post, we’re going to explore some of the most common habits that damage teeth so that you can be more aware of the potential risks. Remember, your teeth are with you for life, so it’s important to take care of them.
Table of Contents
Chewing on Hard Objects
You might not think twice about chewing on a pen cap or cracking open a walnut with your teeth, but these habits can actually damage your tooth enamel. Chewing on hard objects can chip or crack your teeth, which can lead to pain and sensitivity.
If you find yourself chewing on hard objects often, it’s best to find a different way to occupy your time. For example, you could try gum or sugarless candy.
Using Your Teeth as Tools
We’ve all been there—you’re in a hurry and you need to open a package quickly. So, you grab the nearest thing at hand, which just happens to be your teeth, and start prying at the packaging. Stop!
Using your teeth as tools is a surefire way to damage them. Your teeth are not meant to be used as scissors, bottle openers, or anything else other than chewing food.
If you need to open something quickly and don’t have a tool handy, it’s better to wait until you can get one than risk damaging your teeth.
Brushing Too Hard
We all know that we need to brush our teeth at least twice a day, but did you know that you could be brushing too hard?
Brushing too hard can damage your gums and wear down your tooth enamel. If your gums are bleeding or receding, that’s a sign that you might be brushing too aggressively. Be gentle when brushing—your teeth will thank you for it.
Consuming Excessive Amounts of Sugary Drinks and Snacks
When it comes to taking care of your teeth, you probably already know that you should brush and floss regularly. However, there are other habits that can damage your teeth, even if you brush and floss religiously. One of these habits is consuming excessive amounts of sugary drinks and snacks.
Sugary beverages like soda and juice can erode tooth enamel, while sticky snacks like candy can cause cavities. To protect your teeth, it’s best to limit sugary drinks and snacks to occasional indulgences.
When you do indulge, be sure to brush your teeth afterwards to remove any residual sugar. With a little effort, you can keep your teeth healthy and avoid pricey visits to a Coquitlam dentist down the road.
Nibbling on Ice Cubes
Most of us are guilty of nibbling on ice cubes from time to time, but did you know that this habit can actually damage your teeth? When you bite down on hard objects like ice, it can cause stress fractures in your teeth.
Over time, these fractures can become larger and lead to chips or cracks in your enamel. In addition, chewing on ice can irritate your gums and make them more susceptible to infection.
Not Brushing Your Teeth Regularly or Properly
One of the most common habits that will damage your teeth is not brushing your teeth regularly or properly. When you don’t brush your teeth, the plaque and bacteria can build up and cause tooth decay or gum disease. Plaque is a sticky film of food debris, bacteria, and saliva.
If you don’t remove plaque, it will harden and turn into tartar which is more difficult to remove. Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing once a day can help remove plaque before it turns into tartar. You should also use a toothbrush with soft bristles and fluoride toothpaste.
Conclusion
Your habits might seem innocuous, but they could actually be doing some serious damage to your teeth. In this blog post, we explored some of the most common habits that damage teeth. Remember to take care of your teeth—after all, they’re with you for life.
