6 Habits that are Bad for your Teeth

You may not know it, but just like the rest of us, you may have certain habits that negatively impact your dental health.

Identifying these habits and knowing why they are bad is the first step towards better oral health. It can also saves us from expensive dental procedures and losing our teeth altogether.

Here are some bad habits to lookout for:

Nail Biting

Nail biting may be a nervous or a compulsive habit, and most of the times the person may not be aware that they are doing it. It is quite common, and is found mainly in children. It not only harms the nails, but to the teeth and the gums too. When the jaw is placed on the protruding nails for extended periods of time, it could lead to jaw dysfunction. It can also cause various illnesses if the lining of the nails is swallowed.

The best way to break off this habit is to use bitter tasting nail polish and keep stress busting toys handy, such as fidget spinners.

Aggressive Brushing

While brushing twice a day for two minutes is a must for better oral health, brushing too hard can prove to be bad for your teeth. Applying too much pressure or using a toothbrush with hard bristles can damage and irritate the gums.

Brushing is more like a massage of the teeth, rather than a scrub. Therefore, a brush with soft bristles should be gently applied to the teeth in circular movements for a good clean.

Clenching and Grinding

Most people have a habit of clenching and grinding their teeth during sleep or when they are anxious. A sore jaw or a headache is a telltale sign of extreme teeth clenching. This could lead to erosion of the enamel, and could also lead to cracking and chipping.

The best way to reduce this is to practice mouth exercises and remaining aware of the teeth activities. Wearing a mouth guard before sleep can also help in breaking this bad habit.

Unhealthy Eating Habits

Unhealthy eating habits, such as constant snacking, could leave an acidic film on the teeth. This greatly increases the risk of cavities. Other unhealthy eating habits include regular drinking of sodas and high-sugary drinks. The unfortunate thing is that Americans eat three times the daily recommended sugar, which is why dental problems are quite common.

Biting down on ice cubes is another unhealthy eating habit that could lead to cracked and chipped teeth.  

Using Teeth as Built-in tool

Opening a bag of chips or a bottle of soda with the teeth is a common thing. Many people consider teeth to be some kind of a built-in tool that can stand-in when there is no scissor or knife nearby.

These habits can easily lead to cracking in the teeth or a serious jaw injury.

Skipping Dental Visits

Majority of the dentists recommend that individuals should visit them at least once a year. These visits ensure that the overall dental health is in impeccable condition and what preventive measures could be undertaken in order to protect the teeth from going worse.

After a thorough dental checkup, dentists are also able to guide the individuals about what they should be doing differently and certain foods that they should be avoiding in order to alleviate their health.

We are one of the most reliable family dentists in Germantown, MD, with a sharp focus on patient comfort and satisfaction. Give us a call on (301) 353-8890, or pay us visit to learn more about our patient-friendly environment.