DENTISTRY FOR THE

whole family

BAD HABITS AND HOW THEY DAMAGE TEETH

We all have habits — some of them are good, some of them might be harmful. Sometimes we exhibit these habits when we’re nervous or when we’re happy. It might be surprising to learn that some “nervous ticks” or routines have a negative impact on our oral health. If you’ve experienced harm to your teeth due to a “nervous tick”, then reach out to a dental care professional to figure out how to make your teeth look beautiful and sparkling again.

Certain habits can immediately damage teeth, but some wear down enamel over a period of time. Find out which habits could be affecting your oral health:

  • BRUSHING YOUR TEETH TOO HARD: While brushing is a good habit, the habit of brushing them too hard can damage your teeth. If you’re brushing too hard, you might wear down the enamel and irritate your gums. In addition, you can create gum recession, which exposes the root of the tooth and can become detrimental to your oral health. Use a soft toothbrush instead of one that’s hard. While brushing, make sure to go in gentler circles with the bristles to clean your teeth while not damaging your oral health.
  • BITING NAILS AND CHEWING PENS OR PENCILS: If you find yourself nervously biting nails or thoughtfully chewing the end of a pen or pencil, try to find another habit. Biting nails, pens, and/or pencils is a very popular habit, but it’s best if you replace it with something else such as nibbling on celery, carrot sticks, or chew sugar-free gum. Teeth are meant to chew on food, not on outside elements; putting pressure on them can cause the alignment of your teeth to shift or even crack your teeth.
  • DRINKING SODA, LEMONADE, COFFEE, OR ANYTHING ACIDIC: People who like drinking soda or other acidic drinks are putting their teeth at risk. The acid in these drinks can wear down the enamel, which can result in a rough texture on the tooth surface. Brushing after eating or drinking anything acidic is discouraged. The combination of softened tooth enamel and the scrubbing of the toothbrush can wear teeth more quickly and expose them to damage.
  • USING YOUR TEETH AS A TOOL: When teeth are used to tear open a bag of chips or a piece of tape, to open a bottle, or to bite tags off clothing, chipping or cracking can result. You should avoid using your teeth as a tool because it can be detrimental to your teeth.
  • EATING ICE: Because ice is frozen water, people may not realize the potential repercussions of chewing it. Just like using your teeth as a tool, crunching ice can result in cracking or chipping. If you have a filling, the weakened tooth can break even easier when you chew ice.

If you display any of the habits above, be aware of the potential damage they may do to your teeth. At Coventry Dental Care, strive to ensure your dental care is addressed when you come to the dentist. We want your pearly whites to be healthy, which is why we want to educate you on the bad habits that can harm your oral health. Some of these bad dental care habits might also cause bad breath, cavities, tooth decay, mouth sores, and toothaches. Remember to floss and brush regularly, and visit your dentist for routine checkups. To schedule your appointment, contact us at 519-305-9100 today!

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