​7 Bad Teeth Habits You Need To Break ASAP

When we think of our health and wellness, we often think about our diets, how much we exercise, what kinds of diseases we have or could get. We don’t give as much thought to our oral health, however, and the state of our oral health (our mouth and teeth) can have a big impact on our overall health. Often times, the reason for poor oral health is because we neglect our teeth. Not the kind of neglect that means skipping brushing and dentist visits, but the kind of neglect that we put our teeth through every day without even realizing it. Here are seven bad teeth habits you need to break right now. Your oral health depends on it!

7 Bad Habits That Are Hurting Your Teeth

Biting Your Nails

Ugh. Biting your nails is terrible for your teeth. Plus, remember the last time you saw someone actually gnawing on their nails from a distance? It looks gross. Stop doing it. Your teeth are meant to chew food and nothing else. Use your fingernail clippers. It only takes a second to clip your nails so that you don’t spend time biting them.

Grinding Your Teeth

Some people don’t even realize they are grinding their teeth; mostly because people tend to do this in their sleep. It’s important that you consult your dentist regularly so that they can help identify if you are a teeth grinder and offer you solutions to help you stop. Things such as a bite guard, which can be worn at night to prevent your teeth from rubbing together, may be one suggestion your dentist offers.

Using Your Teeth as Tools to Open Things

Much like the nail biting, using your teeth for anything other than to chew food is a bad idea. Lots of people have chipped their teeth while trying to twist a bottle cap with their teeth, or tried to pull plastic apart with their teeth. Grab a knife to cut the plastic, and use a proper tool such as a bottle opener to save your teeth the harm of using them as a tool. If you were to chip your tooth deep enough, it might not be able to be saved, so be careful and avoid opening things with your teeth.

Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard

While it is important to brush your teeth a few times a day, it is also important that you have the right tool for the job. Using a brush that is too hard or using a brush in a forceful manner can wear away the enamel on your teeth and cause permanent damage. Imagine the irony of having poor oral health because you were trying too hard!? Use a gentle motion with a brush that is soft. Usually the dentist will give you the exact kind of toothbrush you need, so when you visit them next, ask for recommendations on what kind of brush is right for your teeth.

Drinking Sugary Drinks

Come on, now. You know better than to fill your mouth with soda pop and acidic fruit juices. You’ve seen the television commercials warning against acid erosion right? It’s not just a fluff. It’s real, and drinking too many sugary drinks can cause severe, irreversible damage to your teeth. Once enamel has worn away, it does not ever come back. Limiting your intake of fruit juices and sugary drinks can help reduce the amount of wear and tear your teeth experience.

Smoking

While it goes without saying that smoking brings with it a whole host of medical risks, one often overlooked risk is the risk of mouth cancer, tooth decay and oral hygiene in general. Your teeth can become stained and your enamel can also be weakened. Nicotine can cause a world of hurt for your mouth, not to mention your lungs. Avoid smoking as much as possible. If you are a smoker, ensure you have impeccable oral hygiene routines to ensure as little damage as possible.

Chewing on Things

It’s a habit. We know. We all have them: we chew on our pencils while we are deep in thought, we chew on our ice cubes after our cups have been drunk dry, we chew on pen caps and many other things that we don’t even realize! The problem with chewing on anything is the risk we run of breaking our teeth or wearing away the protective coating that keeps our teeth healthy. In addition, whenever you put something in your mouth (even food), there is a scenario in which you could choke. Never ever put anything in your mouth that isn’t food or drink. Aside from the damage you are doing to your teeth, it is an actual safety hazard.

The next time you catch yourself chewing on your nails, grinding your teeth, opening a bottle, or any of the other bad habits mentioned here, stop and think about how those activities are impacting your teeth. Think about how you are impacting your overall health and risk of developing long-term issues associated with your teeth. If you can’t stop these habits altogether, consider trying to alter them in some way. For example, if you can’t quit smoking, maybe you can see your dentist more regularly to ensure your teeth are healthy. If you can’t quit chewing on things, at least stop as soon as you catch yourself chewing on the top of your pencil. Don’t put yourself at any more risk that you already are for developing some kind of lasting oral health issue. You are control these things: you just have to recognize you are doing them and start working toward changing that behavior.