Did you feel sensitivity in your tooth? You might be wondering why, despite brushing your teeth daily. The answer may lie in the daily habits you barely notice that can result in tooth sensitivity and frequent cavities. These habits do not cause sudden damage to your teeth, but they often cause cumulative damage from small, repeated actions. Research finds that long-term oral health issues stem from these daily habits. Being mindful of the everyday habits harming your teeth can help you prevent dental problems and complications. Often, we do not understand that the little choices we make daily can add up and result in experiencing pain, sensitivity, or a worsening condition. In this blog, we are going to shed light on 10 daily habits that are causing harm to your teeth, gradually.
Also Read: Top 5 Tips That Protect Your Teeth From Oral Issues
Some Health Conditions Linked to Oral Health
Before we discuss the harmful habits for teeth, let’s know why maintaining oral health is crucial. Oral hygiene refers to the practices of maintaining the cleanliness of your mouth, teeth, and gums, such as brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash, along with regular dental check-ups and cleanings. Like other areas of the body, the mouth is also full of germs, mostly harmless. As the mouth is the gateway to the digestive tract, these germs can be carried through the saliva and bloodstream, leading to certain health conditions such as:
- Cardiovascular Disease: Some research suggests that poor oral hygiene can lead to gum diseases, plaques that can cause heart disease and stroke. Because bacteria are carried through the bloodstream and result in inflammation in the arteries.
- Endocarditis: When germs from the mouth spread through the blood and attach to certain areas of the heart, it can cause infection in the inner lining of the heart chambers or valves. Although infection of the endocardium is rare but can be life-threatening.
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop gum disease, as this condition makes your body less able to fight an infection. Gum disease can result in difficulty managing blood sugar levels. Therefore managng oral hygiene is crucial when you have diabetes.
- Pregnancy Complication: Gum disease called periodontitis has been linked to an increased risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in pregnant women. During pregenancy hormonal changes can make gums more susceptible to infection and inflammation.
Learn 10-Daily Habits Secretly Damaging Your Teeth
To prevent complications and maintain overall health, you must pay attention to your daily habits related to your oral health. The daily habits leading to the gradual damage to your teeth include:
- Brushing With Excessive Force:Like many people, you may think that brushing harder clean you teeth better. In reality, it is not like that, aggressive brushing causes enamel erosion and irritates the gums. Over time, this can result in gum recession, sensitivity, and even exposed tooth roots.
- Tip: Brush your teeth with a gentle circular motion, not scrubbing them and use a soft bristle. Electric toothbrushes can detect when you apply too much force, which can be helpful.
- Snacking on Sugary Foods and Drinks: When you consume excessive sugary foods and beverages daily, it can lead to tooth decay. The bacteria in your mouthfeed on sugar and cause the production of acids that erode enamel gradually, leading to cavities and plaque build-up.
- Tip:Choose healthy snacking habits, such as fruits and vegetables and drink plenty of water. Maintaining a balanced diet can support your dental and overall health.
- Using Your Teeth As Tools: It is common that you often open packaging, remove bottle caps, cut thread, and bite your nail by using your teeth. These are bad habits for teeth, which may seem convenient for a moment, but they can cause chips, cracks and uneven wear.
- Tip:Use basic tools such as scissors, a bottle cap opener or nail clippers. Try to take a pause and grab the correct tools instead of using your teeth, and these small habits can help you prevent dental emergencies.
- Grinding Your Teeth: Many people grind their teeth, which can be linked to stress and anxiety and during sleep without realising it. But grinding may wear down the enamel, cause jaw pain, headaches, and cracked teeth.
- Tip:If you are experiencing teeth grinding, consult your dentist. They can provide you with a custom night guard to protect your teeth during sleep. Try to practice jaw relaxation techniques, manage stress whe possible and avoid chewing gum.
- Avoiding A Dry Mouth: Saliva plays a crucial role in clearing away the food particles and neutralizing heamful acids in your mouth. But dry mouth provide ideal environment for bacteria and can increase the risk of gum disease and cavities. Dry mouth can be a side effect of certain medications, caused by insufficient hydration and certain health conditions.
- Tip: Maintain hydration throughout the day and visit a dentist if you have chronic dry mouth. Chewing sugar-free gums can also enhance saliva production.
- Chewing Ice:Chewing on ice may feel harmless and a common habit, but it can cause cracks or chips in your teeth. Ice is too hard for your teeth, and frequent chewing places significant pressure on your teeth.
- Tip: If you enjoy the cold sensations, you can opt for breaking or melting the ice, also choose child water or sugar-free popsicles, crunchy vegetables or popcorn for a healthier crunch.
- Drinking Acidic and Sugary Beverages: Soft drinks, energy drinks, sport drinks, flavoured water, fruit juices with artificial sweetness can harm the enamel of yur teeth over time. Th acid level in these drinks weakens your enamen making your teeth prone to cavities.
- Tip: Limit drinking sugary and acidic beverages, or switch to water or unsweetened herbal tea. Use a straw to bypass your teeth, especially when you are indulging in soda and avoid brushing right away.
- Poor Flossing: Brushing alone can not clean your teeth entirely; it only cleans about two-thirds of your tooth surface. You require flossing to remove the food particles between teeth, plaques and bacteria. When left uncleaned, these areas become susceptible to gum disease and tooth decay.
- Tip: Floss your teeth daily, even if it is just for once before bedtime. If you find traditional floss harder to use, you can try floss picks or a water flosser.
- Neglecting Small Dental Issues: You can experience mild sensitivity, a small chip, occasionally bleeding gums, and slight discomfort, which are easy to ignore. But ignoring these small issues can develop into more serious conditions such as gingivitis, infections and cavities.
- Tip: Do not skip your dental check-ups. Visit a dental clinic if you notice minor changes in your teeth to prevent complications with early detection.
- Consuming Tobacco Products:You have surely heard that smoking is bad for health, but it is also harmful for your teeth. Tobacco products, including smoking and chewing, not only stain your teeth but also increase the risk of gum disease, tooth loss and oral cancer, affecting your immune system to fight infections.
- Tip: The best fixation is quitting. In the meantime, schedule your dental check-up for professional cleaning to minimise the damage and to find support to help you quit.
Final Remarks
Noticing these habits and practising self-care management tips can significantly help you manage your oral health. A healthy and beautiful smile begins with a healthy foundation. By avoiding these 10 damaging habits and including healthy oral practices in your daily life, you can take proactive measures for your long-term oral health. You can visit a renowned dental clinic, Doctors Smile Dental Clinic in Siliguri, to ensure your dental and overall health.
