The 9 Habits That Kills Your Teeth Daily
The 9 habits that kill your teeth daily. A recent study in the Springer Nature publication found that people with good teeth have a high population of good bacteria in the mouth.
As it turns out, many standard dental products (such as toothpaste and mouthwash) contain toxic ingredients that can destroy the microbiome in the mouth.
This explains why teeth can thrive for hundreds of years outside the mouth (in fossils), while in our mouth, they get ruined by something so simple as chocolate. Reference. ProDentim has come out with unique oral health for your teeth and gum.
You may be surprised to learn that some everyday habits that many people have are killing their teeth. If you find yourself doing any of these things regularly, it’s time to change your ways for better oral health.
Here are the nine most common and sometimes surprising habits that are killing your teeth:
No.1 Habit Is Teeth grinding and clenching
Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, refers to a side-to-side movement of the teeth. Clenching is when you hold your teeth in one position against each other, says Dr Mirissa Price, an American Dental Association spokesperson and pediatric dentist with Cumberland Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Smyrna, Tennessee.
Some people grind or clench their teeth during the day, and that’s usually tied to anxiety or tension. Others perform this habit at night, so they aren’t even aware of it. Both children and adults can get in the habit of grinding or clenching teeth. Waking up with a headache or a sore jaw are possible signs of teeth grinding and clenching.
Grinding or clenching puts extra stress on teeth and can wear down the outer layer of your teeth, Price explains. This can change how your teeth look and, over time, may cause tooth sensitivity or even a tooth fracture.
With clenching, you may also tighten your jaw muscles, which can lead to jaw tenderness and muscle problems in the jaw. If you know you grind your teeth during the day, talk to your dentist about how to break the habit.
No.2 Habit of chewing ice
Ice chewing can provide an incredible feeling in the mouth while drinking or after you finish a drink. Yet that seemingly harmless habit isn’t so innocent. Ice can be harder than your natural tooth, leading to chips and breaks, says Dr Jonelle Anamelechi, a pediatric dentist with Children’s Choice Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics in Washington, D.C.
The regular habit of chewing ice can even cause pain and damage to children’s teeth, says Dr Gerald J. Botko, president of the Academy of General Dentistry.
Plus, the extreme temperature change from ice can lead to cracks in your teeth, says Dr Richard Wolfert, founder of The Tooth Boss dental practice in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
To break an ice-chewing habit, try to chill your beverages in advance in the fridge or freezer or drink from a straw.
No. 3 Opening items with your teeth
Whether it’s a beer bottle top or a bag of chips, it may be tempting to use your chompers to get them open. Resist the urge.
“Do not use your teeth as tools,” Botko cautions. “Using your teeth as a bottle opener can cause chipping, breaking or fracture of your teeth.”
This is especially true if your teeth are already weakened from a large filling or wear and tear, Wolfert says. Cracked, fractured teeth can lead to tooth loss or extraction. Take the extra step to find a bottle opener, scissors or another tool to pry open whatever it is you’re using.
No. 4 Sucklng your thumbs
Thumb sucking is considered a regular habit in kids until about age three. After that time, this soothing habit can lead to permanent changes in the teeth and jaw, Price says.
This includes the teeth protruding too far forward on the top or causing an open bite where the teeth don’t meet. It also can contribute to a high arched palate — the palate is the roof of the mouth — leading to potential speech issues. Thumb sucking also can introduce germs into the mouth.
If your toddler or young child is still a thumb sucker, talk to their paediatrician or dentist for help. You can use sticker chart rewards for motivation to stop or try special bad-tasting nail polish to encourage them to halt the habit.
No.5 Constant snacking
If you like to nosh or drink sugary beverages throughout the day, you may want to rethink that habit. That’s because constant snacking allows sugar to break down and accumulate on your teeth. The same holds for children who drink juice or milk throughout the day.
These habits put you at a higher risk for cavities because cavity-causing bacteria like to feast on the leftover food and create an acid that attacks the outer shell of your teeth, Botko says.
A better strategy:
- Aim for balanced meals that help you feel fuller longer.
- Drink water between meals, and have your children do the same.
- Focus on low-sugar, low-fat snacks.
- When you indulge in sugary snacks, drink water to help wash away the leftover food.
No.6 Habit Is Brushing too hard
There’s a right and a wrong way to brush, and as it turns out, the wrong way can harm your teeth. Aggressive brushing can wear away the outer layer of your teeth, called the enamel. It also can cause your gums to weaken, providing less support for your teeth, Price says. This can raise your risk of tooth sensitivity and cavities.
Hard brushing is a habit often found in kids, Anamelechi says. That’s because they may focus too much on the spots they can reach and go too hard on them.
To avoid these harms, use a soft-bristled toothbrush (manual or electric), and use the amount of pressure you can apply by holding your toothbrush with your thumb and index finger. Move the toothbrush in small back-and-forth strokes.
No.7 Not wearing a mouth guard during contact sports.
If you have kids who play a contact sport and don’t use a mouth guard could end up with cracked or missing teeth, Botko says. They should even wear a mouth guard during practice, he advises. Emphasize to your children the importance of wearing a mouth guard every time they play.
No.8 Habit Is Nail Biting
Do you bite your nails? It’s a habit you’ll want to break. Nail biting can damage the roots of the teeth and the bone holding the teeth in place, says Dr Joi M. Freemont, founder of Freemont Dental in Hapeville, Georgia. It could even stop teeth from fully closing if you hold your fingers in the mouth for an extended period.
Some ways to stop nail biting:
— Wear thin gloves or a mask during daytime hours to help train you not to put your fingers in your mouth.
— Continuously apply hand sanitizer or lotion to your fingers so they’re unpalatable.
— Find other ways to occupy your hands, such as twiddling your thumbs or playing with a ball or elastic band.
No.9 Is The Habit Of Smoking
It may be no surprise that smoking is bad for your teeth. It may be surprising how much it can harm your teeth and mouth. Here are just some of the ways that smoking is bad for your oral health:
— It causes bad breath.
— It stains your teeth.
— It can make your immune system weaker. That increases the chance of gum disease. Smoking doubles your risk of gum disease compared with those who don’t smoke, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
When you think about smoking and oral health, don’t forget the effects of cigarette alternatives like hookah. Freemont says that hookahs frequently contain nicotine in amounts that aren’t regulated, and people tend to use them for more extended periods than cigarettes. The use of hookahs also can increase the risk for gum disease and oral cancer.
Better habits for your teeth
To keep your teeth healthy and avoid the pitfalls of terrible tooth habits, here are a few steps to follow:
— Make ProDentim Your dental health priority, Freemont advises. If you have anything abnormal in your mouth, such as bleeding when you brush your teeth or pain in your mouth, let a dentist know. Treating problems early will keep them from getting worse or more expensive down the line.
— Brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day. Floss at least once a day.
— Talk to your doctor or dentist about any medical conditions or prescriptions you use, Freemont recommends. There are many health conditions or prescriptions that can affect your mouth. These may require more frequent visits to the dentist for exams and cleaning.
Visit a dentist twice a year or as often as they recommend. Replace your toothbrush every three months, or more often if you’ve been sick.
Conclusion
This article is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions…
