You Might Be Hurting Your Teeth, Without Even Realising It
Are you the type of person who routinely opens a packet with your teeth or chews the end off a pen when you are in deep thought? Most of us have some silly habits that we are completely unaware of, and while our teeth may well be tough, they’re not indestructible. So here are some things you should know about hurting your teeth, without even realising it.
Habitual Tooth Injuries
The following are some of the more common ways you might be damaging your teeth, and in some cases, even be unaware that you are doing it at all.
Snacking
- Whenever you eat or drink something other than water, the bacteria in your mouth create acid to process the sugars.
- If you snack regularly throughout the day, then your mouth may not have enough time to clear this acid away completely, before you consume something else.
- In this respect, it’s not so much the amount of sweet food that you eat, but rather how often you eat it.
Sugary Drinks
- Sugary drinks, as well as being unhealthy, can also be incredibly acidic.
- Sipping sugary or fizzy drinks throughout the day can leave your teeth in a near-constant state of acidity, which can damage the enamel.
Using Your Teeth As Tools
- Using your teeth to open packets or twist off bottle lids, can put a lot of sideways pressure on individual teeth or groups of teeth, putting the whole mouth out of alignment.
- This can sometimes cause tiny fractures in the surface of the tooth, which may not be immediately noticeable.
Biting Your Nails Or Chewing On Pens
- Biting your nails or chewing on pens are typically unconscious habits that can occur when someone is distracted or under stress.
- The pressure of the teeth on the object being chewed can cause misalignment of the lower jaw, especially in heavy chronic cases.
Brushing Too Hard
- The effectiveness of brushing has very little to do with how hard you brush, but rather how clean you get your teeth for a given amount of pressure.
- In most cases brushing gently but thoroughly, is better than brushing harder but missing some spots altogether.
Not Cleaning Between Your Teeth
- Brushing your teeth effectively will clean the outside of your teeth, but not the sides.
- This means food deposits and plaque can build up in the grooves of the teeth, and between teeth, where a toothbrush can’t reach.
Grinding Your Teeth
- Many people unknowingly grind their teeth at night, while they sleep.
- This can cause a range of problems from jaw pain, headaches or even indentations in the surfaces of the teeth.
- Grinding your teeth while sleep, is also commonly caused by abnormal bite alignment or stress.
Smoking
- If any of the following habits apply to you, you should discuss the effects on your mouth with your dentist, as they may have an effect on your gums, or the overall appearance of your smile.
- Smoking in any form is never recommended.
Unwise Ignorance
- Discomfort with brushes, minor pain or sensitivity are good indicators that something is wrong, but they’re also things that people tend to overlook.
- That’s why it’s always best to see a dentist and get an opinion, no questions asked.
- Most people that come to the practice with concerns, are surprised by the number or types of issues that can be present in their mouth.
Everyone’s Mouth Is Different
- Some people produce more saliva, have different bite alignments, stronger teeth or existing dental work.
- The effect these things have on the overall health of the mouth can vary from person to person, so it’s important to see a dentist and have them personally assess the situation.
Summary
None of this is meant to alarm you or convince you that you have all these horrible dental problems. It’s simple awareness and knowledge is what’s important here, because unless you know what to do, you can’t do what needs to be done.
If you have noticed any strange sensations or dental problems with your teeth or gums, it’s always best to see a professional to discuss them. The team at Mumtaj Dental Care can inspect your mouth and determine whether any treatment is required, or what may be causing any dental discomfort you may be experiencing.
