We all know the importance of brushing, flossing, and regular dental checkups to maintain good oral health. But how many of us know certain habits that are damaging our teeth? Not only eating sugary snacks damage your teeth, but there are various other reasons too. In this blog, we will discuss a few harmful habits that can put out dental health at risk.
6 common habits that can harm your teeth
Brushing too hard
Brushing your teeth is necessary to keep cavities at bay and have healthy teeth free of plaque and tartar. But are you brushing too hard, thinking it will easily remove the food debris from the mouth? You may be wrong. Dentists recommend making use of a soft-bristled toothbrush. According to them, you should brush your teeth gently in wide strokes. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush or brushing the teeth by pressing it too hard could damage your teeth and gums.
Nail Biting
Biting your nails is yet another bad habit that has the potential to damage your teeth. It can impact your jaw and teeth. Biting the nails can lead to jaw dysfunction since it holds the jaw in a protruded position for longer durations. Apart from it, nail biting can also make your teeth chipped.
Smoking and tobacco use
Irrespective of what type of tobacco product you use, including chewing tobacco or smoking, all tobacco products are harmful to your teeth and gums. If not avoided or limited, chewing tobacco or smoking can lead to many dental problems, such as the increased risk of gum disease, dry mouth, bad breath, tooth decay, oral cancer, etc. If you have the habit of smoking or chewing tobacco, visit your nearest physician to know how they can help you eliminate this bad habit.
Eating too many sugary foods and beverages
If you are eating too many sugary foods in between meals, bacteria feed on it and cause tooth decay. Eat a balanced diet between meals, and don’t forget to drink too much water after eating sugary snacks.
Chewing of ice
Many prefer to chew the ice after drinking a cool or refreshing drink. However, it is a habit that could risk a broken tooth or filling. To get rid of the habit, try drinking through a straw or try consuming drinks without ice to get rid of the habit.
Regular use of soda
Beverages such as carbonated soft drinks can erode tooth enamel. Drinking plain water, green tea, or black tea is desirable, which would help strengthen the enamel and protect the teeth from bacteria.
Conclusion
The six habits mentioned earlier must be avoided if you want healthy teeth and gums. Getting rid of bad oral habits is essential for maintaining good oral health in the long run. Teeth can give you an improved aesthetic appearance and is useful for properly chewing food and speaking precisely. Problems such as missing teeth can cause speech problems and chewing problems.