5 Worst behaviors for your teeth

Using the Wrong Toothbrush

Using a brush that’s too hard can cause your gums to recede and abrasion damage to tooth root surfaces. A soft-bristled, multi-tufted brush is ideal.

Brushing Too Forcefully and Frequently

Even with the right brush, you can still damage teeth and irritate gyms by applying it too forcefully. A gentle whisking is all that’s needed to break up bacterial plaque buildup on tooth surfaces. Ask your dentist about the proper technique if you’re not sure.
Brushing too often can also be damaging over time. Twice a day — morning and night — is sufficient.
And, brushing immediately after eating can erode tooth enamel, which is weakened by acidity in foods and beverages. Wait at least 30 minutes.

Nail Biting

This nervous habit exerts “parafunctional” (outside what’s normal) bite forces that can wear down teeth and cause small fractures and chips.

Grinding and Clenching

Bruxing, the dental term for tooth grinding as well as jaw clenching, exerts excessive bite forces that can result in tooth wear, fractures or looseness, jaw pain and other symptoms. It often occurs while people sleep; a night guard can help protect against damage.

Chewing Ice Cubes

Some blenders have special blades to crunch through ice cubes; imagine the effect of doing the same thing with your teeth! The force it takes your teeth (and jaws) to crunch through frozen water is far beyond what they’re designed to withstand.

 

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