At home and at school, you were taught about good oral hygiene habits that can help keep your teeth and gums healthy and your smile in pristine condition. You also learned which habits can undermine your oral health. However, you may have also picked up a few habits that you did not know could secretly wreak havoc on your dental health.
Thumb sucking
Thumb sucking may seem like a harmless or even a cute habit among young children. However, when a child's permanent teeth have erupted between the ages of five and six, this seemingly harmless habit can cause teeth and jaw problems like misalignment and chewing difficulties.
Sucking lemons
While lemons are a good source of vitamin C, sucking on these fruits can lead to the erosion of the tooth enamel. Remember, lemons are very acidic.
Brushing too hard
Brushing hard won't make your teeth any cleaner. In fact, it can do more harm than good. Brushing too hard can lead to numerous dental problems including gum irritation, wearing down of the enamel, cavities and teeth sensitivity.
Grinding of teeth and jaw clenching
When people are stressed, they involuntarily clench their jaws and grind their teeth. These habits can lead to microfractures and fractures which can undermine the structural integrity of the teeth.
Crunching on ice
Some people crunch on ice after downing their cold drinks. This may seem like a harmless habit but the hardness of the ice, coupled with its temperature, can lead to serious damage to your teeth.
Using your teeth as a tool
It may be tempting to use your teeth as a substitute for scissors, pliers and other tools when these are not readily available. However, the human teeth has three specific functions (chewing, aiding in speaking, and helping you achieve a good smile). If you use your teeth outside of these three functions, you are likely causing damage to your teeth.
Biting on objects
At school, you may have picked up the habit of biting on your pencil. As you grew older, you may have substituted the pencil for other things like a pen or the stems of your eyeglasses. This bad habit may lead to the shifting or cracking of teeth.
Nail biting
Nail biting is just as bad as biting on objects. It can lead to teeth being broken or the tooth enamel being splintered.
Chugging on soda
No matter what your favourite soda is, if you consume it on a regular basis, you can harm your teeth over the long term. Soda contains a high amount of acid which can wear down the tooth's enamel.
Know the do's and dont's of proper dental care. Call a friendly dentist in your area to set an appointment.