5 Awful Habits That Harm Your Teeth

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People may have awful habits that destroy their teeth and, in most cases,  they even have no clue that these habits are harmful. Many factors may increase your risk of having serious dental problems, and in this article, we will tell you about habits that are harmful to your teeth.

1. Nail biting

At first sight, this habit isn’t harmful to your teeth, only for nails, but these people are wrong. Nail biting causes jaw dysfunction and chipped teeth. In most cases, people who bite their nails do it regularly, that is why they are more likely to have moved out of place teeth. There are a lot of home remedies to get rid of this harmful habit. For example, try to use a nail polish that would taste horrible when you start biting them. If you can’t solve this problem, contact a dental center, they will help you.

2. Brushing teeth too hard

There are a lot of people among us who brush their teeth too hard and think that it may help them, but the reality is far from the idea. People who brush their teeth with extended force have more harm than help. Brushing teeth vigorously may cause gums irritation, increase sensitivity, cause cavities, or wear down enamel. To avoid these problems, you should use a toothbrush with soft bristles that is certified by American Dental Association (ADA). It will mean that a toothbrush is good to remove plaque and isn’t too hard for your teeth. 

3. Jaw clenching and tooth grinding

People who are under stress too frequently, probably have noticed that they clench their teeth or grind them. These actions are harmful to our teeth. Teeth grinding or bruxism occurs when people are sleeping or under stress or anxiety. These actions lead to exposure of teeth to decay. They cause microfractures that increase the risk of further damage. People should try different methods to get rid of these problems, and one of them is to wear a mouthguard at night to prevent the damage of teeth grinding. In addition, try to avoid hard food to reduce the pain caused by these harmful habits.

4. Snacking ice cubes

Chewing on ice, at first sight, is harmless, but it’s a mistake. People think that ice is natural and sugarless. That is why it’s safe. If you like to chew ice cubes, stop doing that because it may cause chipped or cracked teeth. But if you continue chewing on ice you may irritate your teeth’ soft tissues, and as a result, you will have a common toothache. This also causes teeth sensitivity, which will trigger sharp, quick pain. If you have this harmful habit try to replace it with chewing gums without sugar. This method will save your teeth and your nerves.

5. Playing sports with no mouthguard

Sportsmen shouldn’t enter a game without proper equipment. People who play any contact sport (football, hockey, etc) should have all equipment because it saves them from traumas. Dental traumas are common in contact sports, that is why sportsmen should wear mouthguards to reduce the chance of dental traumas, like chipped, cracked, or knocked-out teeth. You should buy it in a store or make your own in your dental office. Mouthguards are designed to protect your teeth, not to harm them that is why it’s vital to wear them.

The bottom line

All in all, if you have any harmful habit that affects your teeth, contact your dentist and have an appointment. Your dental specialist will tell you all pros and cons of the treatment method. Don’t neglect changes in your mouth, it’s better to have an additional appointment than additional problems.