We all want a healthy smile. But some daily habits slowly destroy our teeth, and the damage can be permanent. So, let’s talk about five ways many of us are unknowingly ruining our teeth and how to prevent them.
1. Sugary and Acidic Drinks
Things like soda, or pop, or soda pop depending on where you live and what you call it. Also things like energy drinks, sweetened coffee, tea. These types of beverages are the absolute worst for teeth.
These drinks contain both acids and sugars, which can weaken enamel and increase the risk of cavities.
Frequency is key with beverages. Just because you have, say, a soft drink at dinner doesn’t mean you’re immediately giving yourself enamel erosion and cavities — no, no. It’s the constant sipping throughout the day that keeps your tooth enamel under constant attack, which is bad.
So drink water instead whenever you can. And for the occasional soda or energy drink, use a straw.
And if you can’t use a straw, always drink water after and swish it around. Doing this can neutralize the acidity in your mouth.
Xylitol gum or xylitol mints can also help repel plaque and inhibit bacteria, thus reducing your risk of cavities after drinking any sugary or acidic beverages.
Did you know? Sugary drinks are also associated with a risk of cancer when consumed regularly.
2. Hidden Carbs
Okay, so everyone knows that candy isn’t good for your teeth. Sugar leads to cavities.
But what many people don’t realize is that the sugars from things like bread, crackers, pasta, chips, even though they aren’t candy, get broken down into sugars right there in your mouth while you’re chewing.
And oftentimes the sticky bread, sticky goldfish crackers, all these carbs get stuck in the crevices of your teeth, even worse than say a Hershey bar would.
So since sugar feeds bacteria, which create acids, eating too many carbs all day, every day can also cause cavities pretty quickly.
What to do? Just like with the sugary acidic beverages, be sure to rinse with water after carb-heavy meals. And if possible, try to floss your teeth, and even brush if you have a toothbrush on hand after lunch, at work, at school, wherever you are.
Although it is recommended to wait 30 minutes before brushing after eating.
3. Clenching and Grinding (Bruxism)
So many people grind their teeth at night or tense their jaw during the day. And doing this is super super bad.
Grinding and clenching wears down tooth enamel, causes cracks and abfractions, worsens gum recession, jaw pain, and TMJ problems.
If you suspect you’re clenching or grinding your teeth at night, it’s highly recommended to find the root cause if you can, like, is it caused by stress, bite misalignment, sleep issues like sleep apnea?
If you can find the cause, then be sure to fix the cause, of course. But until you can do that, be sure to wear a night guard to protect your teeth.
Regularly doing hard teeth biting together can mess with the nerve. So don’t take clenching and grinding lightly. It can cause a lot of dental damage.
If left untreated, severe grinding can even damage the nerve of a tooth and require procedures like a root canal.
4. Tongue and Lip Piercings
When metal jewelry rubs against teeth and gums, it can chip enamel, cause gum recession, and increase the risk of infection.
So definitely talk with your dental provider about the risks before piercing your tongue and or lips.
And if you can, remove jewelry while sleeping or consider alternative placements.
5. Smoking and Vaping
I know tobacco and vaping are no-brainers. We all know they aren’t healthy for your body, but I don’t think it’s talked about enough how bad they are for your teeth, gums, and mouth.
Not only can smoking and vaping stain teeth, but they can also reduce saliva flow, giving you dry mouth, and dry mouth increases your risk of cavities.
Smoking and vaping can also lead to gum disease, and your risk of oral cancer increases too.
So if you smoke, of course, try to quit or reduce tobacco use through cessation programs.
Also, while you’re on your cessation journey, be sure to maintain hydration and oral hygiene. And if you don’t smoke, don’t start.
Protect Your Teeth With These Healthy Daily Habits
Small daily choices can make a big difference for your dental health. Protect your teeth by maintaining a consistent oral hygiene routine:
- Brush twice a day
- Floss daily
- Never skip a night of brushing and flossing
- Use proper brushing and flossing techniques
Remember, habits like frequent sugary drinks, hidden carbs, smoking, or teeth grinding can slowly damage your smile. The good news is that simple changes today can help prevent serious dental problems in the future.
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