Are Daily Habits Damaging Your Teeth?

Some of the habits developed by children and adult alike over time may cause damage to the teeth that will not immediately show or manifest but will build up over the years, which will be harmful to their overall dental health in the long run. Here is a list of practices you may want to avoid.

Eating Sugary Foods

Sugar is a tooth’s worst enemy , and the longer it stays in your mouth, the worse it is. It is said that all types of sugar can cause tooth decay. Bacteria use the energy in the sugar and then make acids which attack teeth and tooth enamel. This then causes tooth decay, which is also known as dental caries. If we have a large amount of sugary foods and drinks in our diet, our mouth will be acidic and will take about 20-30 minutes to return to its normal pH level. Think about the last time you had a bunch of gummy candy—how much time did you have to spend picking little bits out from your teeth? Jelly and gummy candies are harder to wash away, which mean the sugar in them just hangs around your teeth, feeding the acid-causing bacteria that live in your mouth. Because of this, it is important to avoid sugary foods that stick to the teeth longer than other foods and bathe them in sugar, like jelly beans and other candies.

Drinking soft drinks and alcohol

Soft drinks have emerged as one of the most significant dietary sources of tooth decay, affecting people of all ages. Prolonged exposure to soft drinks can lead to significant enamel loss. Some research suggests it may be just as corrosive to teeth as drinking battery fluid, and this can occur as soon as the first three minutes of consumption. This is caused by a combination of mostly three factors, one is the sugar (which is really a minor factor compared to the others) then comes the phosphoric acid present in some soft drinks and finally the staining effect that they can have on your teeth.

Alcohol, similarly to soda, is also extremely acidic and can erode the teeth. This can lead to cavities, long term tooth decay and increase the risk of periodontal disease. Alcohol abuse can also damage the soft tissue and decreases the natural saliva in the mouth, without natural saliva, the mouth becomes dry, making it easier for bacteria and infection to stay in the mouth.

So what can you do to prevent this? The most obvious answer is to reduce or altogether stop consuming soft drinks or alcohol. Substitute with fresh fruit juices or just have milk or better yet, water.

Using teeth as tools

We’ve all been there –When you use your teeth to snap off bottle caps, remove clothing tags, or open plastic bags. Stop immediately using your teeth as tools. Teeth should not be used as can openers, scissors, pliers, or knives because they aren’t tools. While it’s definitely an immediate solution it is far from a good one! This common habit may cause micro-cracks that may eventually lead to more serious dental problems in time. Stick with scissors, openers or knives next time you need to open something.

Holding or Chewing on a pen, glasses, pencil or other solid and hard objects in your mouth  can also cause your teeth to crack or break. Biting your nails, can also cause splinters or cracks in your teeth.

Brushing teeth immediately after meal

Many people brush more than the recommended number of times per day - especially after a rich meal. But research shows that brushing too soon after meals and drinks, especially those that are acidic, can do more harm than good. If you brush too soon after eating you haven’t given the enamel enough time to re-mineralize and you might actually be brushing your enamel away.  The scientists found an increase in dentin loss when brushing in the 20 minutes after drinking soda. But there was considerably less wear when brushing took place 30 or 60 minutes afterward. Waiting to brush for at least 30 minutes gives your mouth time to produce enough saliva to neutralize the acidity. This saliva helps your teeth to harden and absorb more calcium, which then acts like a coat of armour.

Smoking

Most of us know that smoking is bad for our health, but did you know that smoking is also a major contributor to many dental problems? Smoking can lead to tooth staining, gum disease, tooth loss and in more severe cases mouth cancer.

Using the Wrong Equipment

Don’t use paperclip, toothpick, or piece of paper to get something out from your teeth. Using these objects may lead to gum and tooth damage. Toothpicks are the least favoured way of cleaning food stuck between teeth – the best solution for cleaning in between your teeth is floss or an interdental brush.

Grinding Your Teeth

Teeth grinding (bruxism) is involuntary clenching, grinding and gnashing of the teeth. Bruxism can be a physical expression of stress; for example, susceptible people may tend to grind their teeth when they are angry, concentrating hard on a particular task or feeling anxious. The problem with bruxism, as the habit of grinding and clenching is called, is the wear and tear on your teeth. When you grind your teeth, you can wear away tooth enamel. This can lead to sensitive teeth and tooth decay, and it can also cause damage to expensive dental work. Finally, grinding taxes the muscles and joints of the temporomandibular (jaw).