Are you guilty of chewing something every time? You’re not alone, but do you know these habits can harm your teeth? Many people endanger their dental health with their everyday habits without them even realizing it.  Have a look at these habits that damage your teeth and learn how you can break them!

• Metals, dirt, soil, pebbles

Some people have an eating disorder called Pica that involves craving or hunger for items that are not typically eaten or with very little nutritional value. The people who suffer from this disorder have the urge to eat metals, dirt, soil, and other items that can be harmful to their dental and overall health. If you have the condition, get yourself treated and never chew on metals, dirt, soil, etc.

• Ice

Though ice is essentially water, it belongs to the “do not eat/do not chew” list. Ice itself poses no harm but chewing it does as it is a hard object that can break your teeth.

• Pens, Pencils, Etc.

Do you have the habit of biting or chewing on your pen, pencils, etc., when lost in thoughts? You’re putting your teeth much harm by chewing on these foreign objects and can weaken the tooth enamel and lead to chips, breaks, or cracks.  Chewing on these objects can also increase your risk of developing bruxism or unintentional teeth grinding.

• Nails

Biting hard on your nails can harm both the appearance of your hands and your teeth and become an oral hygiene issue. Besides, regularly biting your nails can shift your teeth out of place. Nail-biting could also weaken your teeth and cause teeth to break or tooth enamel to chip.

• Gummy Candy

Everyone knows that sugary candies promote tooth decay, but some candies are harder to bear. Gummies stick in the teeth and can cause the sugar and resulting acids in contact with your enamel for hours, causing tooth decay.

• Chewing gum

Chewing gum containing sugar can lead to tooth erosion and cavities. On the other hand, chewing sugar-free gum helps protect your teeth and gums in between meals. Chewing sugar-free gum can also help deal with dry mouth and bad breath.

Do you have any more questions about how to protect your teeth? Contact us to schedule an appointment.