Many bad habits can destroy our teeth – some of which are obvious and some of which are less obvious. Here are just 7 bad habits to kick if you want to keep your teeth healthy.
Brushing too hard
Not brushing enough will clearly damage your teeth, but did you know that you can also brush too hard? If you suffer from sensitive yellow teeth despite brushing regularly, it could be a case that you’re applying too much pressure with your toothbrush and damaging the enamel on your teeth. This could be exposing the yellow dentin beneath and making them more sensitive. Try brushing in small light circles rather than using a vigorous scrubbing motion.
Never replacing your toothbrush
After using the same toothbrush for a while, the bristles will start to blunt. This can make brushing less effective. Make sure that you’re replacing your toothbrush once every three to four months so that you’re able to remove plaque more easily.
Using your teeth as a tool
Using your teeth to open plastic packaging or bottles can be dangerous. It some cases it can lead to chipping. These cracks may only be small at first but could turn into major damage. All in all, always use scissors and a bottle opener.
Chewing ice cubes
Some people love to chew the ice cubes whenever they get served a cold drink. However, crunching on ice cubes can be very bad for our teeth. Ice cubes tend to be tougher than we think and there’s a real risk of chipping the enamel.
Consuming too many soft drinks
Sugar is the biggest culprit of tooth decay. While candy can be very bad for the teeth, soft drinks tend to be even worse because they get swilled around the mouth, coating every tooth in sugar. You’re better off switching to zero sugar and low sugar soft drinks. You can also reduce the damage by drinking through a straw.
Never visiting the dentist
It’s important to have frequent check-ups with the dentist. This can help you to detect issues early and get them fixed before they become a major problem. Some people will never visit the dentist even when they’ve got a toothache, usually out of fear. If you’re apprehensive, do you research the procedure? The likes of this guide How Long Does It Take To Get A Cavity Filled? could be useful. You could find that the treatment isn’t as horrible as you thought it was going to be.
Smoking
Smoking can seriously damage your teeth. Not only does it make the teeth yellow, but it can cause gum disease. This could lead to your teeth falling out. If you’re a smoker and you want to preserve your smile, quitting may be the best option. You can check out Ways To Quit Smoking here.
