Most of you are familiar with the basic oral hygiene drill: Brush twice a day, clean in between your teeth and go for dental cleanings twice a year. Now whether you do these or not, is a topic for another conversation! But did you know that some of your daily habits can cause serious damage to your teeth?
Here’s a list 5 common bad habits that can ruin your teeth. Some of these habits are pretty obvious and others are not so much since their effect is not immediately noticeable. While I’m not here to police your life, if any of these habits sound familiar, I highly encourage you to take active steps towards replacing them with healthier ones.
#1 Biting Your Nails
This is one of those habits that a lot of people have as a response to stress. Unfortunately, in addition to disfiguring your nails, nail biting is also very harmful for your oral health. It can chip your teeth and impact your jaw. Over time, the constant chomping motion and protruding out your jaw can lead to developing a grinding habit and painful temporomandibular disorder (also known as TMD). To add to all of that, when biting your nails you’re introducing all the bacteria under your nails and on your fingers into your mouth. Think about the last time you caught yourself nibbling on your nails, was it after you washed your hands properly? Most likely, no! And to be clear, those bacteria do NOT belong to your oral cavity
The Solution:
I understand that stopping nervous habits are a lot easier said than done. So here are some suggestions to get you started:
- Consider trying bitter polishes intended to help you quit.
- Identify your triggers – Once you know what triggers you into biting your nails, you’ll have an easier time controlling it.
- Try substituting new habits – Like using stress balls or taking a short walk.
- Consider consulting your doctor.
#2 Using Foreign Objects As Floss
I know how uncomfortable it is when something gets stuck in between your teeth. In a pinch sometimes it may feel easier to use your nails or grab the nearest object on your desk (pen, paper, paper clips, the list goes on!) to dislodge food from in between your teeth. However, none of these sharp and stabby tools are a good replacement for dental floss. You will most likely end up damaging your enamel and cutting your gums, introducing oodles of nasty, unwanted bacteria into your mouth.
The Solution:
Always keep interproximal brushes handy. They essentially work like a pipe cleaner and you’ll be able to easily get stuff out from in between your teeth without causing harm to your gums or to your pearly whites.
#3 Using Your Teeth As Tools
If I’ve said it once I’ve said a thousand times, your teeth are jewels NOT tools! Opening beer bottles, packages and all sort of other things puts you at direct risk for chipping and cracking your teeth, as well as harming your jaw.
The Solution:
Simply resist the urge! Trust me investing in a good can opener and a pair of scissors is a lot cheaper than repairing cracked teeth.
#4 Eating Ice
Ice is very hard, too hard for your teeth. When you chew ice, you’re putting yourself at high risk of damaging your enamel and even cracking your teeth and dental restorations (fillings, crowns, etc.).
The Solution:
Try frozen fruits like grapes, blueberries and watermelon. They give you the same cool and refreshing feeling without cracking your teeth. My personal recommendation is to let them thaw for a short while so they soften a little before you eat them.
Consult your primary care physician. Craving ice can be a sign of anemia.
#5 Brushing Aggressively
Brushing your teeth twice a day for about 2 minutes is a great habit to acquire. However, a lot of people enjoy a rough tooth scrubbing. Sometimes you may even think that brushing harder will give you cleaner teeth. Unfortunately, you’re more likely to be wearing away your enamel and causing gum recessions, putting yourself at higher risk for tooth sensitivity and dental decay.
The Solution:
Try using an electric toothbrush. Most electric brushes have a sensor that will let you know if you’re applying too much pressure, helping you be more conscious of over scrubbing your teeth.
If you prefer to stick to your manual brush, try using a precision grasp with the handle. This means that you will be using your finger pads to hold the brush handle rather than holding it in your palm.
If you have any questions, suggestions, thoughts let me know in the comments. And, please be nice to your gums and teeth!
Let’s say goodbye to bad habits,
Saba, RDH