Quit These 5 Bad Habits For Better Teeth

Maintaining a healthy smile is more than just brushing and flossing; it also involves making conscious choices to avoid habits that can harm your teeth. At Eckdhal Family Dentistry, we often see patients who struggle with dental issues that could have been prevented by breaking a few common bad habits. Here are five habits to leave behind for better dental health. 

1. Brushing Your Teeth Too Hard 

While you should aim to brush your teeth at least twice a day, you should also be conscious of how roughly you may be brushing them. Using too much pressure or a toothbrush with hard bristles can do more harm than good, especially if you have sensitive teeth and gums. Use gentle, intentional strokes when brushing your teeth. 

2. Grinding Your Teeth

Without even realizing it, many people grind their teeth, especially while sleeping. This habit, known as bruxism, can cause significant damage to your teeth, including enamel wear, tooth sensitivity, and even cracked or broken teeth. A custom nightguard may help reduce the pressure on your teeth and prevent further damage from grinding. 

3. Biting Your Nails

Biting your nails can not only chip your manicure, but it can also chip your teeth! Jaw pain and dysfunction are also side effects of this bad habit, since it places extra stress on the jaw and forces you to keep it in a protruding position. Try keeping a manicure kit with you to avoid the temptation of fixing nail mishaps with your teeth.

4. Misusing Your Teeth

Nail biting isn’t the only unconventional way you can hurt or damage your teeth. Biting to open stubborn packages or using your teeth to hold something when your hands are full is doing more long-term harm than the immediate convenience is worth. Slow down and remind yourself that a cracked tooth or jaw injury isn’t worth the risk!

5. Smoking or Using Tobacco

Giving up any form of tobacco can be difficult, but the dental and overall health implications of smoking cigarettes or chewing tobacco are reason enough to quit. Gum disease, oral cancer, tooth decay and loss, and dry mouth can all result from using tobacco products. 

Prioritize Healthy Teeth

If any of these habits are holding you back from achieving your dream smile, let us know at your next visit to Eckdhal Family Dentistry. We can help you follow a personalized dental care plan that will get you on track to better teeth. We look forward to seeing you for your next appointment at our dental office located in Monroe, WI.