Blog Highlights:

• You should only use a toothbrush with soft bristles as a hard-bristled toothbrush can cause abrasions on your gums
• Brushing too hard and too often can wear down your teeth’s enamel and it can also damage your gums
• Nail biting is a habit that puts parfunctional bite forces on the surface of your teeth
• Individuals who are constantly under stress can suffer from teeth clenching and bruxism during sleep
• If the blender needs special blades to deal with ice cubes, you should know that chewing on ice with your bare teeth can lead to damage and injury

Although you brush their teeth and floss on a regular basis, and even if you see you dentist twice a year for professional cleanings and checkups, there is no guarantee that your teeth will always be in good condition. This is because you might have certain habits that are slowly destroying your teeth.

Here are ten of the worst teeth-destroying habits that you need to avoid simply because they can cause immediate damage like chipping and cracking, or slow damage like erosion or gum recession.

Brushing your teeth with the wrong toothbrush

Though some may think that using a hard toothbrush will help remove the bacteria on their teeth better, you need to understand that it can also easily damage your gums. Hard bristles can cause abrasions which can allow bacteria to invade your tooth root. This is why a toothbrush with soft bristles is better.

Brushing too hard and too often

Even if you have the right toothbrush, you need to understand that if you keep brushing your teeth forcefully, or if you brush your teeth too often, you can easily end up doing more harm than good. You need to keep in mind that all your teeth needs is a gentle whisking. Brushing too hard and too often on the other hand will damage your teeth’s enamel as well as your gums.

You can ask your dentist for advice on how to brush your teeth if you are not too sure. You should also understand that brushing twice a day, one in the morning, and one before bedtime, is sufficient. You should also avoid brushing immediately after eating, this is because it can erode your tooth enamel. You should wait for at least thirty minutes before brushing.

Biting your nails

Nail biters are not just destroying their nails, they are also subjecting their teeth to above normal or “parfunctional” bite forces. Nail biting can cause small fractures and chips to develop on your teeth surface.

Bruxism and Clenching

Teeth grinding and teeth clenching can happen when you are constantly under stress. These habits can also put a lot of pressure on your teeth and this can also hasten tooth wear. Without adequate protection, your teeth can also get easily fractured or loose. These habits can lead to jaw pain and it usually occurs while you sleep. You need to ask your dentist for a night guard so you can avoid damaging your teeth.

Eating the ice cubes

There are individuals who seem to enjoy chomping on ice cubes especially as soon as they finish their beverage. This habit is actually very dangerous, this is because ice cubes can be very hard. If blenders need special blades to deal with ice cubes, then you should know that chomping on them using your bare teeth might not be a good idea. You can put a lot of pressure on your teeth when you chew ice, putting them at risk for chips and fractures.

Using your teeth as tools

Teeth are meant to be used for eating, not for opening bottle caps, or for tearing fabric or a bag of chips. If you have a nasty habit of using your teeth as tools, then sooner or later, you will have chips, cracks, and fractures on your teeth.

Engaging in Sports without adequate protection

Mouth guards are there for your own protection. If you refuse to wear it, you might end up breaking your teeth off from sudden or accidental blows to your head and face. You might also end up getting cut on your lips or getting wounds on your gums.

Having Dry mouth and not seeking help

Some people who have dry mouth think that it is normal, this is why they do not worry about getting the proper treatment. But you need to understand that saliva is important as it can help neutralize acids and it can also help strengthen the enamel of your teeth. Without it, you are actually putting your teeth at risk for erosion, bad breath, and for the development of cavities.

Eating foods and beverages that are high in sugar

Sugars can help increase your teeth’s risk for tooth decay. Bacteria thrive on the presence of sugars, as they consume it, they leave behind acids that will create cavities on the surface of your teeth.

Drinking too much coffee or Soda

A lot of people drink coffee every day or drink soda during every meal time. These beverages are actually very acidic, and drinking them too often can have a negative impact on your teeth. These beverages can help hasten teeth erosion especially when you will not give enough time for your saliva to neutralize it.