7 Habits Impacting Your Smile Goals
You brush, floss, and try to stay on top of your oral health. But even with a solid routine, seemingly harmless habits can sabotage your progress. Everyday actions you do without thinking can slowly wear down your teeth and gums. From how you snack to what you do when you’re stressed, your choices can affect your smile in ways you might not expect.
Keep reading to learn which habits can harm your smile.
Habits That May Be Doing More Harm Than You Realize
It’s easy to overlook the impact of things we do every day. Once you learn what’s behind the visible wear and tear out your teeth, though, it becomes much easier to make changes that keep your smile healthier. Here are seven habits that will definitely damage your teeth:
Using Teeth as Tools
We’ve all done it—torn open a package or popped a bottle cap with our teeth when no tool was around. But using your teeth this way can lead to chips, cracks, or damage to dental work. Teeth are built for eating, not multitasking. It’s worth the extra time and effort to find and use the right tool if it means keeping your smile intact.
Biting Your Nails
Whether it’s stress or habit, biting your nails puts unnecessary pressure on your front teeth and can introduce bacteria into your mouth. Over time, it may even affect the way your teeth are aligned. The first step to stopping this habit is learning what triggers the behavior and staying mindful of it.
Clenching or Grinding
You might not even realize you’re doing it, but grinding your teeth at night or clenching your jaw during the day can cause soreness, headaches, and enamel wear. If this sounds familiar, a custom nightguard or mouthguard can help protect your teeth from damage.
Frequent Snacking or Grazing
If you’re constantly sipping or snacking—especially on sugary or starchy foods—your teeth are exposed to more acid throughout the day. This habit increases your risk of cavities and makes it harder for your enamel to recover. If snacking is your thing, consider making time to brush and floss during the day to minimize the potential harm.
Sipping Sweet Drinks Over Time
That iced coffee or soda might be delicious, but slowly sipping it for hours gives sugar and acid more time to do damage. Try to enjoy these drinks in one sitting, and rinse with water afterward to help protect your enamel.
Brushing Too Hard or Not Flossing
Brushing harder doesn’t mean brushing better. In fact, it can irritate your gums and wear down enamel. And skipping the floss? That’s an easy way to let plaque build up between your teeth, where most cavities start.
Not Taking Care of Dental Work
Crowns, veneers, and fillings need attention, too. Biting on ice, not wearing your nightguard, or neglecting to clean all your teeth thoroughly can shorten the lifespan of restorations and dental appliances and undo the work you’ve invested in. Please continue to treat your dental work with care, especially if it’s older and more delicate. You’ll certainly get more out of it.
Ready to Build Healthier Habits?
If any of this sounds familiar, now’s a great time to check in and protect your smile. We’re here to help you spot the small habits that may be affecting your smile and create a plan that keeps your teeth strong and healthy. Call our dental office located in Toledo, OH to schedule a visit. We’ll work with you to keep your smile in great shape.
