16 everyday habits that are ruining your teeth

Teeth begin to form long before we are born, although they appear closer to 6 months. From nature, we get only two sets of teeth: 20 milk and 32 permanent. But, despite this, not everyone manages to keep them. And often our habits are to blame!

Ay, it hurts!

If you find yourself calling the dentist only when you see damage to your teeth, you are not alone! According to World Dental Federation, Around 3.9 billion people worldwide suffer from untreated caries. At the same time, research Delta Dental 2014 showed that 31% of the people surveyed do not even brush their teeth twice a day, as required by hygiene measures.

But not only the neglect of timely cleansing mercilessly spoils the teeth. There are habits that day after day undermine their health, imperceptibly for the person himself.

1. Nail biting

It spoils the beauty and health of nails, leaving the cuticle damaged, which often leads to pain. But besides this, the teeth themselves deteriorate. Harmful microflora from hands and nails gets straight into the mouth, where it causes inflammation and promotes the formation of caries.

2. Clean your teeth with improvised means

“If there is no dental floss or toothpick at hand, many patients try to pull out food debris with the help of third-party objects. It can be plastic cutlery, foil, pieces of some materials, says the dentist. Henry Hackney. “But if these people have damage to the enamel, the smallest particles of these objects can remain between the teeth, leading to further damage.”

3. Have a snack before a visit to the dentist

Although specialists have tools for instant cleaning of teeth, if a person has just eaten, it is better if he brushes his teeth immediately before a doctor’s appointment or at least rinses his mouth. This facilitates the diagnosis, allowing you to immediately see the damaged teeth.

Did you know?

Tooth enamel is the hardest substance in the entire human body.

4. Smoke a vape

No wonder smoking is frowned upon by doctors. But how dangerous vape for oral cavity? “Unfortunately, it still contains the same nicotine that contributes to gum damage,” explains the dentist. Glenn Waugh.

5. Drink sparkling water daily

“Soda water can cause serious problems for people who drink it daily,” says the dentist. Adam Silevich. “It contains carbon dioxide, which damages and thins tooth enamel.”

Dentists advise to give up frequent consumption of soda, or at least alternate drinking it with plain water.

6. Use a fluoride-free paste

“Patients who do not use toothpastes with sufficient fluoride make their teeth more vulnerable to damage and cavities,” says a periodontist, implantologist. Sulaman Anwar.

Fluoride toothpaste must be in the arsenal of an adult who cares about the beauty of a smile.

On a note!

The plaque that forms on human teeth contains more than 300 different types of bacteria. And it’s not harmless bacteria!

7. Brushing your teeth too vigorously

When it comes to brushing your teeth, brushing your teeth too vigorously is just as bad as not brushing them at all. “Thorough brushing with a hard-bristled toothbrush can damage your teeth and gums,” says the dentist. Adam Silevich. “To avoid irritating your gums and damaging your teeth, gently massage them with a soft to medium bristled toothbrush for two minutes—two or more times a day.”

8. Sleep with your mouth open

“Mouth breathing is a common habit that can cause serious damage to teeth,” says a periodontist. Sharon Dayan. “When you breathe through your mouth, you quickly dry out the tissues of the mouth (saliva acts as a protective barrier), which contributes to the development of gum disease and leads to cavities.”

To start breathing through the nose, you should undergo an examination, exclude or confirm allergies, deviated septum and other possible problems.

9. Use your teeth as a tool

To damage your teeth, it is not necessary to open bottle caps, cans and other hard things with them. No less harmful is the habit of chewing on pens and pencils, removing tags from clothes or unscrewing bottles of cosmetics.

You should not do all of the above for those who want to preserve the beauty and whiteness of their smile until old age.

Did you know?

The average person spends 38 days brushing their teeth in their lifetime.

10. Ignore acid reflux

According to the data American Dental Association (AD), this problem promotes the movement of stomach acids up the esophagus into the mouth. And this can lead to damage to the enamel of the teeth.

In order to mitigate possible risks during treatment, dentists recommend chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate more saliva in the mouth, which partially neutralizes the activity of acids from gastric juice.

11. Constantly chew on something

Constant snacking is harmful not only to a person’s waist, but also to his smile. “When you snack frequently, your teeth are constantly exposed to acids and other potentially harmful substances from your food. Since you are unlikely to brush your teeth after every snack, this becomes an additional risk of damage to the teeth and contributes to the formation of caries, ”says the dentist. Caitlin Batchelor.

12. Load up on carbs

Starchy foods such as muffins, cakes, and white bread often stick to the teeth, leading to plaque formation over time. Therefore, after using them, it is important to rinse your mouth well or brush your teeth.

By the way!

The first people to invent an object most similar to a modern toothbrush were the Chinese. The handle of the device was made of bamboo, and the bristles were made of boar hair.

13. Crunch on ice cubes

Such an «innocent» habit often becomes a serious reason to see a doctor.

“Those who like to crunch on ice can break their teeth or damage fillings, face pain in the jaw. In addition, this habit makes the teeth more sensitive, as well as vulnerable to the formation of caries, ”the dentist shares his experience. Mansoor Zahor.

14. Drink wine often

It’s no secret that red wine stains your teeth when consumed regularly. But other varieties of playful drink are fraught with teeth. Acids in wine can cause enamel to erode or discolour. To prevent this from happening, dentists recommend rinsing your mouth with water after drinking a glass of wine.

15. Abuse whitening products

A snow-white radiant smile is a weapon of attraction. But it can be directed against the person himself.

«Hydrogen peroxide, found in many whitening products, can damage the dentin tissue underneath the enamel,» says the dentist. Daniel Naisan. “If you do use whitening products, limit their use to once a week, otherwise you risk doing more harm than good with them.”

By the way!

The world’s first known dentist lived over 5,000 years ago. It was an Egyptian named Hesi-Re.

16. Wear a tongue, lip, or cheek piercing

Data Canadian Dental Association they say that piercing the tongue, lips and cheeks is dangerous for the health of teeth and gums. Jewelry can irritate the gums, damage or chip the enamel of the teeth, and increase the sensitivity of the mucous membranes of the mouth. They can also affect your perception of taste, «changing» the taste of food.

Expert comment

Christina Frank, dentist

Your daily habits are crucial for the health of the body in general and the oral cavity in particular. However, even very conscientious people who brush their teeth twice a day, use dental floss and special toothbrushes, should visit the dentist regularly.

At least twice a year for each patient for professional teeth cleaning and timely detection of problems. Preventive measures are especially important for patients who have a history of dental disease.