What Are The Worst Habits For Your Teeth?

Although you may brush, floss, and attend your dental visits regularly, there are other habits that can damage your teeth. You probably are aware that sugary foods can be a bad habit but there are several other habits that will also damage your teeth even though you may not notice it at first. In this blog post, we will mention some of the most common habits that people have, what damage they do, and how to avoid them.

Chewing Ice

Although chewing ice can be a way to relieve stress and many people enjoy it, it can be very damaging for your teeth. This habit will cause them to crack and chip which will require additional methods to fix them. Sometimes the damage will be as severe as it will require the tooth to be extracted. Depending on the severity of the crack the dentist can recommend a crown, root canal, or a composite filling. If you find yourself chewing ice try to replace it with the following:

• Whenever you have a beverage with ice try to drink it with a straw to prevent contact.
• Instead of chewing on ice replace it with crunchy healthy foods like carrots or apples. 
• Try eating sugar-free gum. 

Brushing Too Hard

Although brushing your teeth is very important if you want to keep your mouth healthy you should know that brushing them very aggressively can cause damage not only on your teeth but even on your gums. If this is a habit of yours, you will eventually damage the enamel of your teeth which is the outer protective layer, and make your teeth more sensitive to outside factors. 

Also, another damage that brushing too hard will cause is receding gums which happens when they are pushed back away from the teeth expensing the root. When the gums recede and the enamel is lost, there is no natural way to restore them. However, there are certain procedures like veneers that will help you restore your teeth back to normal. Here are some tips that will help you avoid brushing your teeth too hard:

• Although soft-bristled toothbrushes seem like they won’t do much, they work great, so you can use it as a replacement to your hard-bristled toothbrush. 
• You can switch to an electric toothbrush. 

Grinding Your Teeth 

Many people have the habit of grinding their teeth and not being aware they’re doing it. This habit causes irreversible damage to your teeth like, wearing them quicker and increasing the risk of fractures and the formation of cavities. Some signs that can indicate that you grind your teeth during the night include:

• Constantly waking up with a sore jaw and headache.
• Damage signs on the inside of your cheeks.
• You find yourself clenching your jaw during the day. 

If you notice any of the above-mentioned signs it is important that you consult your dentist. After checking your teeth he will recommend you use a night guard while sleeping which will serve as a barrier to protect your teeth from having contact with each other. Sometimes teeth grinding can also be a sign of stress and can become more intense even during a workout. Some of the tips that will help you avoid clenching your teeth are:

• You can try applying a warm washcloth on your face to relax the muscles and keep them from clenching. 
• Try to massage your jaw before you sleep to loosen up the muscles.

Biting Your Nails

Nail biting is a common habit that a lot of people have. However, this is a very damaging habit that will cause the teeth to misalign over time, especially in small kids, and can chip and fracture teeth. Usually, the damage is not very severe and it can be fixed by simple procedures like composite bonding. However, if you continue with this habit they will break again. If you find yourself eating and biting your nails, you can apply a manicure on top of them which will serve as a protection coat, or try eating sugar-free gum to keep your mouth occupied. 

Smoking

As you might know, smoking is a very bad habit that will damage not only your oral health but your overall health too. Smoking is automatically linked to bad oral hygiene no matter how much you brush your teeth. This is due to the fact that it will reduce the production of saliva causing your mouth to become dry.  Smoking will also result in permanent tooth loss because it causes a lot of damage to the gums leading to periodontal disease.

It is important to know that tobacco products are also the main cause of oral cancer. The only thing to do to avoid this issue is to try and stop as it will only benefit you.  

Chewing On Objects

A lot of people have the habit of chewing on hard objects to relieve stress. This will severely damage the teeth. Our teeth are not made for this kind of pressure and even hard foods will cause damage imagine what hard objects can do to them. Try to avoid this habit as much as possible as it will lead to irreversible damage and even loss of the tooth. 

Playing Sports Without A Mouthguard

If you play contact sports it is very important to wear a mouthguard to protect your teeth from any external force that they might face. Just like you protect your hands when you play box with gloves or when you wear a helmet you should also think about protecting your teeth at any time. 

Thumb Sucking

A lot of people had the habit of sucking their thumb when they were younger and they still continue to do so. It is very important that the parents stop this habit while the child is still young. Not only sucking your thumb will misalign your teeth as they develop but it will also cause abnormalities in the roof of the mouth, which can be irreversible.

Opening Things With Your Teeth

When people have a hard object in their hand that they cannot open, they will most likely use their teeth since they are sharp and strong. We highly advise you not to use your teeth for opening anything and especially beers. Our teeth are not made to withstand this much pressure so they will chip or brake. Even though it may seem cool try to avoid these kinds of activities as much as possible. 

Drinking Beverages With Sugar In Them, Including Sports Drinks

We know that beverages that contain sugar in them can taste good, however, if you consume them all the time your oral health will be impacted. Sugar is the food that the bad bacteria in our mouths love to eat, which speeds up the formation of plaque. If plaque is not immediately and appropriately removed, it can develop into tartar, which can lead to gum and tooth disease. To avoid all this, simply steer clear of sugary meals and beverages as much as possible.

Too Much Coffee

Coffee is the most consumed beverage in the world. We know it tastes great and that it makes waking up in the morning much easier, however when it comes to oral health, it has a lot of side effects. If you consume too much coffee daily, your teeth will get stained making them look yellow. The problem will get much worse if you add a lot of sugar to your coffee because it will attract cavities. 

You should know that this problem is easily treated with teeth whitening procedures and this is what most patients come looking for here at Dr. Roland Zhuka’s dental clinic. However, we also recommend our patients to try and minimize their coffee intake to at least one cup of coffee a day and not more. Once you minimize it you will notice a huge improvement in the color of your teeth. 

Not Brushing/Flossing Your Teeth Daily

Not only will brushing and flossing keep your teeth white but it will also protect them from cavities and other oral issues. Our dental care specialist here at Dr. Roland Zhuka’s office emphasizes the importance that flossing and brushing daily has on your teeth. When it comes to the right product we recommend you use a soft bristeled toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. These steps should be very important in your daily routine so do not neglect them.

Getting Dehydrated (Lack Of Saliva Causes Dry Mouth)

The healthiest drink for your body is water since it promotes healthy teeth and gums. Your mouth will become dry and your salivary flow will decrease if you don’t drink enough water. Reduced salivary flow has an impact on oral bacterial growth which will lead to more cavities and an increased chance of periodontal disease.

It is recommended that you drink eight glasses of water or more daily in order to keep your teeth as healthy as possible. If you find it difficult to remember this, always keep a bottle with you and sip from it every few hours of the day. although this will increase the need to use the bathroom, you will thank yourself when you see the benefits it provides. 

3 Good Habits That Will Keep Your Teeth Healthy

The habits we mentioned above are common in most humans nowadays and we know they are very hard to break. However, it is very important that you understand the risks and do the most to avoid these actions. This will greatly improve your oral health and keep your teeth in perfect condition. Furthermore, we will explain three good habits to help you avoid dental issues:

• Brush your teeth on a daily basis but do not do that aggressively.  Brushing your teeth twice a day keeps your teeth clean and assists in eliminating plaque. However, this is only effective with good technique. For two to three minutes, use a toothbrush with soft bristles to gently clean your teeth in tiny, circular strokes. To avoid damaging your gums and enamel, do not brush your teeth too vigorously. Tooth sensitivity may result from severe tooth erosion.
• If you smoke try to quit. This habit will only damage your health and it will also prolong every healing process by harming the immune system. After having a dental procedure done dental patients who smoke will need more time to heal than others who don’t. Smoking will also cause bad breath and lead to periodontal disease.
• Eating a nutritious, well-balanced diet is important for maintaining both overall and dental health. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheese, and poultry, among other nutritious foods that are good for your teeth. Cheese, for example, stimulates the salivary glands to produce more saliva, which helps counteract the acid in your mouth. strawberries will keep them white. there are a lot of healthy alternatives that will taste good and help you maintain your oral health.