Protecting your teeth means more than regular brushing, flossing, and regular dental care. Avoiding certain habits can protect your teeth from damage, stains, and even disease. To keep your smile healthy and bright, quit any of these bad habits.

5 Harmful Habits to Avoid for Your Teeth’s Sake

1. Using Your Teeth as Tools

When struggling to open a package, your teeth might seem like a convenient way to get to what’s inside. However, using your teeth for anything other than eating can cause them to crack or break. Use scissors or a knife instead.

2. Nail Biting

Nibbling on your fingernails when you’re nervous, stressed, or bored might chip a tooth. The jaw position also causes extra pressure, which can lead to soreness. Use a bitter nail polish to help you break the habit, or find ways to keep your hands busy during situations that trigger biting.

3. Consuming Too Much Sugar

Even when you brush twice a day, sugary treats like sticky candies, sports drinks, and sodas feed the cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. If you can’t brush every time you snack, drink some water after you eat to help rinse the excess food away. Opt for healthy, low-sugar snacks as well.

4. Using Tobacco

If you needed another reason to quit smoking or using tobacco, then this might be it: not only does tobacco stain your teeth, but it can also contribute to gum disease and tooth loss. Talk with your doctor about how you can kick the habit for good.

5. Brushing Too Hard

Brushing is an essential part of your dental care routine, but if you’re too aggressive, you could do more harm than good. Too much pressure on your teeth or using a hard-bristled brush can damage your enamel and irritate your gums. Tooth enamel erosion leads to sensitivity and increased risk of decay, so go easy on your teeth and use a soft-bristled brush.

If you need help breaking some of the bad habits hurting your teeth, talk with the professionals at Carter S. Yokoyama, DDS, in Kailua Kona, HI. Dr. Yokoyama and his team provide personalized general and cosmetic dental care for all patients in a welcoming environment. To ensure patient comfort, they even offer amenities like noise-canceling headphones, pillows, and blankets. To learn more about the practice’s services, visit them online, or call (808) 322-0101 for an appointment.