Bad habits that are ruining your teeth

Beware of these ten bad habits that are ruining your teeth!

You’re never fully dressed without a smile, sang Annie in her classic song. However, to keep it always beautiful and shiny, you need to take good care of your oral health. Our everyday habits play a significant role in protecting our teeth - and not brushing or flossing are not the only bad behaviors that can damage our smile. So, beware of these ten bad habits that are ruining your teeth!

Nail-biting

Nail-biting is a nasty habit that wrecks both your nails and your teeth! Biting your nail can crack, chip, or wear down your teeth. It also causes jaw dysfunction because biting your nails put your jaw at an unnatural angle. Over time, it leads to temporomandibular disorder (TMD)– a dental health condition characterized by a painful jaw. Not to mention that you introduce several bacteria into your mouth when biting your nails. So, kick this habit by coating your nails with bitter-tasting nail polishes, keeping your hands busy with another activity, or trying to keep your anxiety under control.

Chewing on objects

You’re focused on your work, then you start chewing on your pencil or pen. Hmmm, bad idea. You may think this is a relaxing and harmless habit, or even do it unconsciously. However, this habit can cause teeth to chip or crack. If you feel the urge to chew or bite down on something, try some sugar-free gum. It will satisfy your craving to chew while protecting your teeth.

Using your teeth as tools

The teeth’ primary function is to chew food. However, many people prefer to use them as tools. Bottle and package opener, yarn cutter, and other utilities that may be convenient but that really damage your teeth. This bad habit can cause your teeth to crack or chip, and you may even require a dental implant to replace the damaged tooth. To be sure, keep scissors and bottle openers handy - and use your teeth only for eating.

Brushing too hard

Brushing your teeth is an essential part of your oral health. However, brushing too hard can have the reverse effect and wreck your white pearls. In addition, applying excessive strength when brushing won’t help clean or remove plaque. Instead, it will cause enamel erosion and gum irritation over time. Thus, instead of vigorously scrubbing your teeth, gently massaged them.

Grinding and clenching

Most of the time, we grind or clench our teeth (a condition known as bruxism) without even realizing we’re doing it. Anyway, it is one of the worst habits when it comes to oral health. Over time, it can wear and tear down your teeth, besides misaligning your jaw, leading to chronic jaw pain and headaches. As it is often caused by stress, anxiety, and sleep habits, bruxism is hard to control. The American Dental Association (ADA) suggests using a custom-made nightguard that slips over the teeth in a jaw and prevents contact with the opposing teeth, relieving the pressure of grinding and clenching. Also, applying a warm, wet washcloth to the side of the face may help relax muscles that have become sore from clenching. Anyway, the association also emphasizes that it is best to seek professional help before the problem worsens.

Cough drops

Cough drops are easily found at drugstores and provide immediate relief from annoying and persistent coughs. Hence the temptation to take them indiscriminately - and overlook the fact they are loaded with sugar. But keep in mind that just because they are sold in the medicine aisle doesn’t necessarily mean they are healthy. The sugar from a cough drop or a hard candy is just the same: it reacts with the teeth’ plaque, and then the bacteria in the plaque convert the sugar into an acid that eats away the tooth enamel, causing cavities.

Gummy candy

All sugary treats are bad for your teeth (hello, cavities!). However, some are worse than others. Gummy candy in particular. They stick to your teeth, making sure that the sugar stays there for hours. It results in acids that keep in contact with the teeth enamel for long periods, leading to cavities.

Fizzy drinks, sports drinks, and soda

They quench your thirst and wreck your teeth. Fizzy drinks, sports drinks, and soda are a sugar trap. Some of them contain up to 11 teaspoons of sugar per serving. They also contain phosphoric and citric acids, which eat away at tooth enamel. If you opt for the diet or sugar-free versions of these drinks, you’re just changing the sugar for artificial sweeteners, increasing the amount of acid even more. Want to stay hydrated? Drink water! It’s sugar-free, calorie-free, and completely healthy!

Drinking too much coffee and wine

There’s nothing like a good hot cup of coffee in the morning to start the day. Or a nice glass of wine to finish it… However, both coffee and wine excessive consumption are known for staining the white pearls. Coffee’s dark color and acidity can cause yellowing of the teeth over time. Fortunately, it’s one of the most accessible stains to treat with various whitening methods. Wine’s acids eat away tooth enamel, making teeth more vulnerable to staining. Red wine also contains pigments called chromogens, which help the color stick to the teeth. You can avoid staining by swishing your mouth with water or using toothpaste with a mild whitening agent after drinking wine.

Smoking

Smoking is the worst habit you can have regarding oral health - and overall health, for that matter. Cigarettes, and other tobacco products, can stain your teeth. Its prolonged consumption can cause gum disease and even lead to tooth loss. And that’s not all: according to the World Health Organization (WHO), tobacco contains many cancer-causing toxins, and its use increases the risk of cancers of the head, neck, throat, esophagus, and oral cavity (including cancer of the mouth, tongue, lip, and gums) as well as various dental diseases.

by Bianca Neri

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