5 Everyday Habits Ruining Your Smile

Are these 5 everyday habits ruining your smile? 

So, you’re brushing twice a day, flossing every night before bed and remembering to wear your retainer. While you’ve nailed your oral hygiene routine, there are some everyday habits that might be undoing some of your hard work.   

Chewing ice 

Ice might not seem like a big deal to chew on – after all it’s just frozen water and it melts in your mouth. But, if you’re making a habit of biting on ice cubes either in your drinks or straight from the freezer (who are we to judge) you’re putting your pearly whites at risk.  

Not only can this cause cracks and chips in your teeth, but it can also chip your tooth enamel. Don’t worry, you don’t have to give up ice altogether. Just stop biting and chewing it.  

Sipping coffee or tea all day 

We are a nation of coffee and tea drinkers. While there’s nothing wrong with enjoying a flat white or an Earl Grey each day, sipping on caffeinated drinks all day can really wreak havoc on your tooth enamel. 

It can keep your teeth in constant contact with staining agents and acids. Over time this not only stains the enamel of your teeth turning it brown or yellow, it also wears it down.   

If you do drink caffeine, a great tip is to drink a glass of water after each tea or coffee. This just helps to remove the acids from your teeth and keep them whiter for longer. 

Using your teeth as tools 

Sometimes, there just isn’t a bottle opener within reach but that doesn’t mean you should use your teeth instead! While our teeth might seem hardy, tearing opening a bag of chips or using your teeth to remove clothing tags can easily damage them. It can also cause damage to your gums.  

Next time you need a tool – opt for a pair of scissors and not your teeth. 

Over brushing 

We bet you didn’t expect to see this one on the list. While there’s nothing wrong with brushing your teeth multiple times a day, it’s the pressure you’re using that dentists worry about. Using a very heavy hand or a hard bristled brush can actually hurt your gums. What’s more, it’s just not necessary; Brushing harder won’t make your teeth any more clean. You can still remove bacteria and food debris with a soft bristled brush without hurting yourself. 

Forgetting to change your toothbrush 

If your toothbrush bristles are frayed, they’re not as effective at cleaning your mouth. It’s best to change your toothbrush or replace your electric brush head four times a year – or once a season. Old brushes can also harbour bacteria. While they might feel a bit softer they’re not doing a great job. If you don’t like the feeling of a new brush you may need to switch from a hard or medium brush to something a bit softer. 

Signs you are looking after your teeth 

Looking after your teeth isn’t just about what you do morning and night. The habits we pick up throughout the day can have an impact too. Making these small changes will ensure that you’re looking after your teeth.  

One more simple thing you can do is book yourself in for regular dental checkups. At Gentle Dental, we have four dental clinics across the Wellington region – making visiting the dentist an easy part of your yearly routine.