You know that brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist are important—but do you know which daily habits are damaging your pearly whites? Brushing too hard and chewing ice are just examples of bad habits to break. Below expands on why these and a few other habits should be stopped immediately. 

A Guide to Habits That Damage Your Teeth

1. Vigorous Brushing

If the bristles on your toothbrush are bent and worn after only a couple weeks of use, you’re probably brushing too hard. Use gentle strokes with a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching your tooth enamel and irritating your gums. Your dentist can demonstrate proper techniques if you require further direction.

2. Nail Biting

Biting your nails is a quick way to chip your teeth and hurt your jaw. The position of your jaw during nail-biting can create tension and discomfort in the muscles and ligaments. Try reducing or eliminating triggers that cause you to bite your nails, like stress. You can also keep your nails trimmed short so there’s nothing to bite, or use fidget toys to keep your hands busy.

3. Crunching Ice

Love to crunch away at the ice in your drink? Every kind of ice, from crushed to cubed, can chip your teeth. Even small chips can worsen and turn into cracks if they aren’t quickly repaired by your dentist. If you can’t resist the urge, order drinks without ice, or just a small amount so most of it melts before you get the chance to chew.

4. Teeth Grinding

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, is largely involuntary, often happening at night or when you’re engrossed in an activity. It can lead to headaches, chipped teeth, and jaw pain. The best way to reduce bruxism is to remove or reduce the triggers like caffeine, stress, or lack of sleep that contribute to it. You can also have your dentist create a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth when you try to grind or clench them.  

Elm Dental Care in St. Charles, MO, offers friendly, quality dental care for your whole family. They can help you identify bad habits and give tips on how to break them. Dr. Michael Leuchtmann and his team use state-of-the-art techniques and technology to bring patients the best in general and cosmetic dentistry, from stress-free root canals to teeth whitening that brightens your smile. Call (636) 916-4848 or send them a message online to schedule your appointment.