Eight habits that could harm your teeth

2017 has gone by fast (too fast, in our opinion) and now 2018 is just around the corner. Now might be the time to start thinking about the resolutions you want to make for the coming year. If one of your goals is to get healthier teeth next year, then consider making it a resolution to break some of these harmful habits.

 

Chewing on ice

Our first habit is a fairly innocent one – chewing on ice. You might think that ice is good for your teeth – after all, it’s only water, right? But in fact munching on ice can chip and even crack your teeth. If you have a craving for ice, then you might want to see a doctor as well as a dentist. This is because it’s often a sign of anaemia.

 

Chewing on pencils

Ice isn’t the only thing you should leave out of your mouth: pencils are a culprit too. Some people like to chew on pencils while they work, but like chewing on ice, this habit can chip and crack your teeth. If you need to chew on something, try sugarless gum. It’s not only healthy because it’s sugarless but it also triggers the flow of saliva too, which protects your teeth against acidity.

 

Opening things with your teeth

You’re trying to open a beer bottle but you don’t have a bottle opener – so what do you do? If your answer is ‘use your teeth’, then congratulations – you’ve just given exactly the wrong answer. This is because your teeth should only be for eating, not for opening bottles or other types of packaging. That’s because you can crack or chip your teeth this way.

 

Grinding your teeth

It’s a sad fact that some people grind their teeth. It’s usually caused by stress, though some people just seem to grind their teeth for no reason. The best way to prevent damage from teeth grinding is to wear a mouthguard at night.

 

Eating cough drops

Just because cough drops are sold in the health aisle doesn’t mean they’re healthy either. They’re actually full of sugar. The sugar feeds the bacteria in your teeth, which in turn can cause cavities. So next time you have a sore throat, think about a healthier alternative instead, like a lemon and ginger tea.

 

Drinking pop

Cough drops aren’t the only culprit when it comes to sugar. Pop, such as cola and lemonade, typically contain a lot of sugar. And if you think you’re being smart by choosing the diet option, then think again. Sugar-free pop is high in artificial sweeteners, which are often acidic and erode your enamel.

 

Snacking

Frequent snacking is bad for your teeth because it creates a constant assault in the form of acid and sugar. So avoid snacking too often. Dentists believe that it’s best to eat three to five large meals instead of constantly snacking. And when you do snack, try to make it a healthy one, such as carrots, nuts or celery.

 

Smoking

Finally, if you’re a smoker, then make it your new year’s resolution to quit. This is because cigarettes are terrible for your teeth. They stain your teeth yellow and brown and can even make them fall out as a result of gum disease. What’s more, the harmful chemicals in cigarettes can also cause mouth cancer. And of course, smoking is a habit that’s not just bad for your teeth, it’s bad for your entire body.

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