It is important to maintain a good oral hygiene for keeping your teeth healthy, but there are certain bad habits that can still cause significant damage even with regular brushing and flossing. Here are eight common habits that can destroy your teeth and learn how to break them.
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Brushing Too Hard
While brushing your teeth is important for maintaining oral health, brushing too hard can harm your teeth. Aggressive brushing wears down the enamel and cause gums to recede. To prevent this, use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular motions when brushing.
Using Your Teeth as Tools
If you use your teeth to tear packages, open bottles, or crack nuts, it can damage and break the teeth. Teeth cannot withstand such pressure. If you use them as a tool, it can cause severe damage with time. Always use appropriate tool instead of using your teeth, and avoid unnecessary dental trips.
Chewing Ice
Chewing ice can damage your teeth incredibly. Ice has hard and cold nature which can cause your teeth to crack or chip, especially if you have a weak enamel. Moreover, this habit can irritate the soft tissue , leading to toothaches. Ice craving is the sign of iron deficiency, so consider discussing this with your doctor.
Grinding Your Teeth
Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is a common habit that can damage your teeth over time. Stress, anxiety, or misaligned teeth are the culprit behind this habit and most people do it unconsciously, particularly during sleep. If left untreated, grinding can lead to worn enamel, chipped teeth, and even jaw problems.
Consuming Sugary and Acidic Foods
A sugary and acidic foods can wreak havoc on your teeth. Sugar feeds the bacteria in your mouth, and leads to plaque buildup and cavities. Acidic foods and drinks, such as, citrus fruits and soda, can damage your enamel, leading your teeth to decay. To protect your teeth, avoid intake of sugary and acidic foods, rinse your mouth with water after consuming them, and brush your teeth after about 30 minutes to avoid spreading the acid.
Biting Your Nails
Biting your nails is a widespread practice that can cause damage to your teeth. Your teeth may move out of alignment as a result of the constant pressure from biting, which could result in orthodontic problems and jaw pain. Over time, it may also cause your teeth to chip or crack. If you're having trouble quitting, consider applying nail paint with an unpleasant taste or looking for other stress-relieving hobbies like squeezing a stress ball.
Skipping Dental Checkups
Frequent dental examinations are essential for preserving your oral health and identifying issues early. Missing these visits increases the risk of developing unidentified conditions including gum disease, cavities, and even oral cancer. By the time you start to experience symptoms, the issue can have gotten worse. Even if your teeth feel fine, make an appointment for a six-month examination to protect your teeth.
Smoking and Tobacco Use
Among the worst habits for your dental health are smoking and using other tobacco products. In addition to causing bad breath, tobacco use raises your risk of gum disease and oral cancer. Furthermore, smoking lowers blood flow to your gums, which hinders their ability to recover from infections. One of the best things you can do for your oral health and general well-being is to give up smoking.
Conclusion
It can be difficult to break these negative habits, but doing so is necessary to keep your teeth healthy and your smile attractive. Your oral health can be greatly impacted by little changes you make to your brushing technique, eating habits, and amount of sugary foods you consume. To keep your teeth healthy and prevent damage, you need to have regular dental checkups, clean them correctly, and maintain a balanced diet.