Whether you bite your nails or have a tendency to overeat, we all have at least one bad habit we wish we could kick. According to a 60 Minutes poll from 2015, some of the most irritating bad habits include smoking, nail biting, using crude language, and speaking while chewing food.
In addition to annoying your peers with these bad habits, they can also have an impact on your health and overall wellness. In fact, many of our patients here Dr. Younes Dental Care are surprised to find out that several of these common bad habits can significantly harm dental health.
What habits should you quit for the sake of your smile? Here’a round-up of the top five bad habits that can harm your dental health.
Top 5 Harmful Habits to Your Oral Health
Despite maintaining great oral hygiene, you could be unknowingly causing damage to your smile. Some of the most common bad habits to avoid include:
Nail Biting: Teeth are durable and designed to withstand pressure from biting and chewing. However, it’s important to note that biting your nails puts excessive pressure on your teeth, which will eventually cause them to wear down. Over time, you will become more susceptible to tooth fractures, chips, and misalignment.
Chewing Ice: Do you like to cool down by crunching on ice? Like nail biting, chewing ice puts an enormous amount of pressure on your teeth. The tough, cold surface of ice is likely to irritate the gums and wear down the teeth.
Using Teeth as Tools: Next time you open a package or rip off a tag, be sure to use scissors and not your teeth! Using teeth as tools can weaken their structure and increase your likelihood of chipping or fracturing your teeth.
Bruxism: Grinding or clenching your teeth, also known as bruxism, can significantly wear down your teeth and cause TMJ, a dysfunction in the temporomandibular joint. Bruxism can occur while a patient is sleeping or it can be a stress-related response. No matter what triggers your bruxism, it’s important to kick this habit before any lasting damage occurs to your teeth or jaw. If you notice damage to your jaw, there are a range of treatments available to help resolve this common problem.
Tobacco Use: This may seem like a given, but tobacco use is a bad habit that is disastrous for your overall health and smile. Patients who smoke are more likely to experience tooth decay, periodontal disease, and tooth loss.
Combat Poor Habits with Excellent Dental Care
If you have additional questions about how these habits can harm your dental health, don’t hesitate to contact our office! We offer a range of services to help treat and restore your teeth due to habit-related damage.
To get started, contact our office today and schedule your next appointment with Dr. Raed Younes.