18 Apr List of Bad Habits That May Damage Your Teeth’s Health 

According to YouGov, about 30% of Americans brush their teeth at least once daily. Those who don’t brush are more likely to report dental issues like cavities. 

Failing to brush your teeth is one of the bad habits for dental health you may be overlooking. Understanding bad oral habits is key to preventing tooth damage. 

Explore the list of bad habits that harm dental health and expert solutions to maintain a beautiful smile. 

Excessive Nail Biting 

Nails are made up of hard keratin. This protein puts some pressure on the enamel when you regularly bite your nails. 

The constant pressure then gradually wears down the enamel – the outer layer of the teeth. A worn-out enamel may cause your teeth to chip, break or increase tooth sensitivity. 

Nail-biting can misalign your teeth. This may lead to serious orthodontic issues and bite problems later. 

Other issues associated with constant nail biting include: 

• Bruxism 

• Jaw pain 

• Headaches 

• Gum problems 

• Root reabsorption 

Regular Ice Chewing 

Because ice has a hard texture, it causes enamel erosion after some time. 

The extreme cold of the ice can also cause abnormal enamel contraction. This temperature shock weakens the enamel, making it susceptible to cracking or chipping. 

Cracked or worn-out enamel exposes the teeth’ underlayer to bacteria. This increases the risk of cavities. 

Chewing on ice may also damage your existing dental work, like fillings and veneers. They can become loose when the enamel cracks. 

At McIlwain Dental Specialists, we can safely repair your teeth damaged due to ice chewing. Contact us today for one of our board-certified dentists to examine your smile.  

Aggressive Teeth Brushing 

Aggressive brushing also poses a risk to the enamel. It erodes the enamel gradually, exposing the underlying dentin. 

The effects of aggressive brushing become more severe when you use a toothpaste containing excess fluoride. Causing dental fluorosis to come sooner than expected. 

Aggressive brushing may lead to gum recession. The gums gradually pull away from the teeth, causing sensitive roots. 

Other side effects of continued gum recession include: 

• Localized gum pain 

• Uneven gumlines 

• Changes in tooth appearance 

• Tooth decay 

Brushing too hard will likely irritate your healthy gums. They may start to bleed or become inflamed. 

Constant Smoking 

Tobacco in cigarettes contains tar and nicotine. These toxins leave brown or yellow stains on the enamel, affecting your smile. 

Continued smoking makes it hard to remove the stains with normal brushing. The good news is that McIlwain Dental Specialists can help remove smoking stains from your teeth. We offer expert in-office whitening to enhance your teeth’ appearance. 

Other effects of smoking on the teeth and gums include: 

• Periodontal disease 

• Tooth loss 

• Plaque buildup and cavities 

• Dry mouth 

• Oral cancer 

• Bad breath 

Smoking may constrict blood vessels in the gums and teeth. This restricts the adequate flow of oxygenated blood to injured parts after gum treatments or tooth extractions. 

Blood clots may occur after these dental procedures. Such issues can cause delayed healing, which dentists link to smoking. 

Regular Consumption of Sugary Foods 

High sugar levels in some foods and beverages feed mouth bacteria. The bacteria then produce acid, which erodes the enamel. 

Some foods that may damage your teeth and gums include: 

• Sugar alcohols 

• White bread 

• Excessive sticky foods 

• Candy 

• Baked sweets or sugary cereals 

Alcoholic beverages have dehydrating effects. They reduce saliva flow, leading to dry mouth. 

Less saliva flow exacerbates the growth of mouth bacteria. This increases the risk of gum problems. 

Alcoholic drinks disrupt normal sleep. Sleep difficulty can lead to teeth grinding. Enamel wear, cracked teeth, and jaw pain may occur because of prolonged bruxism.  

Vigorous Thumb Sucking 

Thumb sucking is a common problem among children. When done occasionally, it’s harmless. It becomes a threat if your child does it persistently and vigorously. 

Thumb sucking can cause problems. Open bite results from the gap between the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed. Overbite happens when the upper teeth get pushed outward excessively. 

A crossbite happens when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. Other dental issues caused by excessive thumb-sucking include: 

• Altered palate shape 

• Speech problems like lisps 

• Misaligned jaw 

• Altered tongue placement 

McIlwain Dental Specialists offers pediatric dentistry to children with oral problems caused by thumb sucking. We use a considerate and calm approach to treat children in a comfortable environment. 

Understanding the List of Bad Habits to Avoid 

To keep your smile healthy, it’s important to know a list of bad habits to avoid. From nail-biting and smoking to consuming sugary foods, these habits can quietly wreak havoc on your dental health. 

McIlwain Dental Specialists puts your family’s dental health and happiness first. For over 40 years, we’ve been offering various services, including pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, general dentistry, and aesthetics. We serve the greater Tampa Bay and Wesley Chapel area. 

Contact us today and let’s turn those harmful habits into healthy smiles!