Taking care of your teeth can seem like a pretty easy task. Brushing, flossing, and rinsing are simple enough, right? There are some things we do every day, however, that may be causing more damage to your chompers than you even realize. We’ve taken some of the most common daily harmful habits that damage your teeth.
Chewing on Ice: Frozen water surely can’t be that bad for your teeth, right? Chewing on ice can actually be more damaging to your teeth then you realize, as they can chip or crack the actual tooth as well as cause damage to the tissue inside your teeth causing aches and pains.
Lemons: If you find yourself sucking on a lemon, you may soon find yourself at the dentist office sooner than originally thought. Because lemons are so acidic, sucking on or eating lemons corrodes the enamel of teeth.
Tool time: We all do it – using our teeth to open a bag of chips, biting our nails, or maybe even using our teeth for the classic party trick of opening a bottle of beer. No matter what you’re using your teeth for, keep in mind that this causes damage and trauma to your teeth, causing them to weaken, fracture, or chip.
Brushing too hard: Yes, even brushing your teeth can be damaging if you’re doing it incorrectly! Obviously brushing your teeth regularly is an important aspect in keeping your entire mouth healthy, but experts have found that by brushing your teeth too hard can wear down enamel, causing teeth to become more sensitive and cavity-prone.
Nervous chewing: Whether it’s chewing on a pen or pencil at work or maybe chewing on your glasses while at home, nervous chewing habits can cause damage to your teeth much like chewing on ice or a bag of chips. Instead, try chewing on sugarless gum!
