5 Bad Habits That Hurt Your Smile Every Day

We all know that breaking bad habits is not an easy thing to do. However, sometimes just knowing what they are and what damage they can cause is enough to help us put a stop to them. When it comes to your oral health, there are plenty of ways you might be hurting your teeth and gums in your everyday life without realizing it. Your Midland dentist reveals five common but destructive behaviors and what you can do to protect your smile.

Using Your Teeth as a Tool

Your teeth can seem like a convenient tool that is always on hand, especially if you are trying to open a long-awaited piece of mail or your favorite bag of chips. However, while you may save a few minutes now, this bad habit could cost you much more time in the dentist’s chair later. These objects wear down your teeth, and the extra pressure can easily and suddenly chip, crack, or fracture them. To keep your smile intact for years to come, only use your teeth to bite and tear food.

Bad Chewing Habits

Developing bad chewing habits when frustrated, bored, or nervous can also quickly weaken your teeth. The pressure from regularly gnawing on hard objects like ice, pen caps, and fingernails can permanently damage your teeth, as well as introduce new bacteria into your mouth. Instead, satiate your need to chew with a piece of sugarless gum or a crunchy apple.

Mindlessly Munching on Sugar

It is a well-known fact that eating sugary foods like candy, cookies, and chips causes cavities, yet many of us continue to mindlessly munch on these snacks. Even beverages like sports drinks, milk, and juice contain enough sugar to fuel the destructive oral bacteria in your mouth. Additionally, snacking on these unhealthy foods throughout the day can boost your risk of tooth decay even more.

Incorrectly Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing your teeth regularly is a vital part of keeping your mouth healthy, but it may be causing more harm than good if done wrong. Brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush, an abrasive toothpaste, of simply too much force can irritate your gums, scratch away your enamel, and put you at a higher risk or oral health issues like cavities and gum disease. Always use dental products approved by the American Dental Association and remember to brush your teeth gently.

Only Seeing the Dentist When Your Teeth Hurt

Even if your teeth look and feel fine, you should be getting a dental checkup every six months. Many oral health issues develop and progress unnoticed until they cause damage and discomfort. In many cases, these problems can be reversed if caught and treated early enough. However, the main point of getting a routine dental checkup is to prevent these conditions from happening in the first place! Seeing your dentist twice a year is a healthy habit that can help keep your smile beautiful, healthy, and complete for years to come!

About the Author

Dr. Laura Philipps of Midland, TX has over two full decades of helping people achieve happy, healthy smiles that last a lifetime. She is a graduate of the prestigious Tufts University and has completed an array of advanced training in specialized topics like dental implants, esthetic dentistry, and occlusion at some of the nation’s most distinguished institutes. She prioritizes your overall health alongside your oral health, which is why she encourages all her patients to practice habits that are good for both the smile and the body. For help breaking bad habits or repairing the damage they’ve caused your smile, feel free to contact her via her website or at (432) 570-4433.