Did you know that you may be subjecting your teeth to extreme forces that could crack or chip them? Certain habits can increase the wear and tear on your teeth, which can weaken your enamel and lead to an increase in cavities and oral health problems. Our orthodontist in Melbourne, FL wants to help you protect your teeth by informing you of some of the worst teeth habits.

1. Smoking and Using Tobacco Products

Smoking and using various tobacco products can greatly harm your teeth and gum health. Smoking reduces the blood flow to your gums, which can lead to gingivitis and eventually periodontal disease. The hot smoke also dries out your mouth, which means your teeth are bathed in less saliva and are exposed to fewer minerals that can help rebuild your enamel after eating and drinking. This can result in more cavities and tooth decay.

2. Biting Your Nails

If you bite your nails out of nervousness or simply because you can’t find your nail clippers, you should know that this is one of the worst things you can do to your teeth. Constantly biting your nails wears down your enamel, which can lead to exposed dentin, weak teeth that are prone to chipping and cracking, and an increase in susceptibility to cavities.

3. Biting Objects

Like biting your nails, you should never bite objects. This includes chewing on pens and pencils, opening packages, and cutting tape with your teeth. Your teeth aren’t designed to bite or chew items, and this seemingly harmless behavior can crack or chip your teeth, along with wearing down the biting surfaces.

4. Grinding Your Teeth

Grinding your teeth is medically known as bruxism. Most people grind their teeth at night (and are normally unaware of it), but you may find yourself doing it during the day if you are under a lot of stress or thinking deeply about a problem. Grinding your teeth can wear down your enamel and even shorten your teeth. If you wake up with a sore jaw or are aware that you grind your teeth, you should visit our orthodontist in Melbourne for an examination and possibly a custom mouthguard.

5. Not Using a Mouthguard While Playing Sports

If you play sports, like football, baseball, and hockey, as well as any other sport that requires physical contact or flying objects, you should be wearing a mouthguard. When items like balls, pucks, bats, and body parts impact your mouth, it can crack and chip your teeth. If you experience a severe impact it can even knock one or more of your teeth out.

6. Eating All the Time

If you snack constantly or eat all the time, your teeth will experience a constant acid attack, which can wear down your enamel over time. Not to mention, every time you eat, you are also feeding the bacteria in your mouth and increasing the amount of plaque on your teeth. This can lead to an increase in cavities and lead to gum disease if you aren’t practicing good oral hygiene. In order to protect the health of your teeth, it’s important to limit sugary snacks and drinks.

7. Getting Piercings in and Around Your Mouth

Piercing the lips, cheeks, and tongue is increasingly popular today because people want to make a fashion statement. Unfortunately, those little balls and loops of metal aren’t good for your teeth. Every time the surgical steel comes in contact with your teeth, it can wear down the enamel. This can cause your teeth to become more prone to cracking and chipping. For the health of your mouth and teeth, our orthodontist recommends not getting these piercings and removing them if you do have them.

To schedule an appointment with our orthodontist in Melbourne, give us a call at 321-254-5232.