Bad Habits You Don’t Know Are Hurting Your Teeth

Is it possible that you are damaging your teeth without even knowing it? Yes. There are certain oral bad habits that we’re all guilty of. Unfortunately, just because we don’t know they are bad habits or harmful to our teeth doesn’t mean that they won’t eventually take their toll. To be honest, this ignorance can cost you big time. In this article, we’ll be looking at some of these habits and the effects they have on our health.

Chewing on Ice

We’ve all done this. Admittedly, there’s something delightful about chewing on ice, particularly during warmer months. But the truth is all that chomping can put unnecessary pressure on your teeth.

We know it’s sugar-free and natural, but you should distance yourself from this habit as it can crack or chip your tooth. You could also develop toothaches if your teeth’s soft tissue is irritated. So, the next time you have a craving for ice, try apples instead — they’re good for your teeth as well as your diet.

Brushing Too Hard

In the quest for whiter and cleaner teeth, sometimes we brush our teeth a little too hard. Brushing too hard will most likely weaken the enamel, irritate the gums, and expose the pulp, resulting in extreme tooth sensitivity and cavities. You might also want to avoid using an excessively hard brush.

If you can make do with soft bristled toothbrush, that’s good. But if you can’t, look for medium hard. That should do an excellent job of removing the plaques and keeping your teeth cleaned while avoiding any damage to your teeth and mouth.

Using Hydrogen Peroxide

Aspiring to whiter teeth, many people have adopted the hydrogen peroxide-sodium bicarbonate mixture. While this works somewhat, hydrogen peroxide, particularly when above 3%, combined with the abrasive application of baking soda can erode the enamel, and expose the roots of your teeth.

This can result in infections, rapid tooth decay, extreme tooth sensitivity and weakness. If you need to have your teeth whitened, the best thing to do would be to visit your local dentist and see what options are available.

Nail-Biting and Thumb-Sucking

Are you a nail biter? Does your child still suck their thumbs? If yes, you need to put a stop to all that starting now. Thumb-sucking often results in the misalignment of teeth which can, in turn, cause breathing issues and chewing difficulties. Nail-biting can cause tooth misalignment or splintering, not to mention the fact that there’s always a risk of infection resulting from putting your hand in your mouth.

Sucking on Lemons

You love sucking on lemons, yes? Well, you are unwittingly risking considerable damage to your teeth. You see, lemons are very acidic — it’s the reason they set your teeth on edge in the first place — and can corrode your teeth with sufficient exposure.

Grinding Your Teeth

If your job is stressful or demanding, chances are that you probably grind your teeth or clench your jaw during the day, or possibly even at night. Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is not good for you. Some folks even suffer from teeth grinding at night when they are asleep. If you know or suspect that you do, schedule an appointment with Orlando Smiles or your local dentist, have them check for any damage and get set up with a mouthguard.

Excessive jaw clenching or grinding of teeth frequently results in fractures or microfractures, not just an accelerated wear of the chewing surfaces. This is because of the pressure that’s put on teeth every time you do that. Over time, the tooth eventually caves in and breaks, resulting in further damage and pain. Keep this in mind when you’re working, you may not even realize how much you do it.

Oscar King is a freelance writer and family man who contributes articles and advice on a variety of issues that affect the health of children and families.

Photo by Maxwell GS, sourced from Wikimedia Commons.