While it is true that teeth are some of the strongest bones in the human body, they are far from impenetrable. In fact, some of our most common and seemingly harmless habits can unfortunately damage and accelerate tooth decay over time. Even those who floss and brush their teeth twice a day can develop harmful habits that could be compromising your oral health in the long run. In a world where 44% of people worldwide have untreated tooth decay, keep reading below to learn the worst habits you should avoid that could be otherwise damaging to your oral health.

Biting Your Nails

In addition to introducing germs and bacteria into your mouth, the habit of nail-biting can be detrimental to your oral health in a variety of ways. For one, it can move your teeth out of place due to the constant stress on one location of your mouth. Secondly, biting your nails often breaks and cracks teeth. Finally, this detrimental habit can adjust the shape and placement of your jaw, which can lead to many dental issues. So, as difficult as it may be, break your nail-biting habit now before it leads to these issues.

Brushing Too Hard

The act of regularly brushing your teeth is definitely good, although the act of brushing too hard can lead to a litany of oral health concerns. Aggressive teeth brushing can irritate and cause your gums to recede, erode your tooth enamel, and lead to overall tooth sensitivity. To help break this habit, be sure to brush with a soft-bristle toothbrush.

Omitting a Mouthguard During Sports

Athletes who don’t wear mouthguards are 60-times more likely to experience tooth fractures, broken jaws, or even have their teeth knocked out completely. Collision sports, such as football and hockey, commonly result in dental injuries for its players, so make sure to pick up a mouthguard from your local store before playing.

Chewing Ice

Similar to how biting your nails can lead to multiple oral health issues, the habit of chewing ice also commonly results in a variety of dental problems.

Smoking, Drinking Alcohol, Chewing Tobacco

It’s best to avoid drinking alcohol because it can dry your mouth out and reduce saliva production which enables plaque to flourish. Additionally, smoking is one of the most detrimental habits out there to your oral health because it can cause gum disease, oral cancer, and your mouth’s ability to heal itself. In place of alcohol and tobacco products, try drinking water more frequently as it can help wash sticky plaque off your teeth.

Oral Piercings

While piercings may be a form of self-expression, it’s best to keep these piercings out of your mouth. Risks associated with mouth piercings include an increased risk of infections, chipped tooth enamel, damaged gums, and much more.

Sugary Foods and Drinks

If you’re setting goals to improve your oral health, then omitting sugary foods and drinks from your diet is the first step you should take. In place of sugar, try including more fruits and vegetables into your diet as their fiber actually strengthens teeth.

Teeth Grinding

Grinding your teeth, or merely using your teeth for anything other than their intended purpose, can be one of the most destructive habits out there for your oral health. Developing the habit of teeth grinding can lead to a misaligned mouth, cracked teeth, and jaw issues.

GumChucks

To prevent numerous painful health complications such as gum disease and cavities, it’s important to practice affective oral health habits beforehand. Flossing is the only way to remove tartar from between your teeth and keep plaque out of hard-to-reach places. Fortunately, GumChuck’s unique design does this better than any other flosser on the market. GumChucks’ design ensures a flossing experience that’s faster, easier, and more effective than competing flossers or traditional floss. Our two handles with disposable floss allow you to comfortably reach all your teeth, even those in the back, while wrapping the floss around each tooth. This creates the vital “C-Shape” necessary to get below the gum line and effectively clean each tooth.