The Most Harmful Dental Mistakes You Can Make for Your Teeth – Part 2

We recently shared the first half of 12 mistakes you can make for your teeth in a previous post. While it’s common knowledge that everyone should brush and floss daily, we tend not to talk enough about what people are not supposed to do to their teeth.

Here is a look at the second half dozen harmful dental mistakes that can be putting the health of your teeth and your gums in jeopardy:

Chewing on ice

Chewing on ice can cause micro-fractures that can lead to more significant fractures and potentially broken teeth. It can also lead to cavity development. While it may be satisfying, try to refrain from performing this act!

Biting your fingernails

According to a UCLA study, up to 30% of the population bites their nails. When you regularly bite your nails, you introduce bacteria into your body. Further, in addition to damaging your fingers and nails, this action can also cause damage to your teeth. While our teeth are harder than our nails, they have thinner incisal edges, which means they chip more easily. A few ways to break this habit include keeping your nails cut shortly or applying nail polish.

Using at-home whitening kits

There are some do-it-yourself whitening tactics that should be avoided. Generally speaking, when whitening your teeth, you should have it done by a professional to have it done safely and correctly. One current trend involves mixing baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and adding it to a type of mouthguard that is boiled and then bitten into to conform to the teeth. Baking soda can damage tooth enamel and hydrogen peroxide can leak out and burn or irritate gums. Excessive teeth whitening can lead to tooth sensitivity, strip teeth of protective tooth enamel, and result in the edges of the teeth becoming translucent. 

Snacking consistently & consuming too much sugar

It can be easy to snack regularly, especially if you work remotely. But, it’s important to note that eating triggers an acid release to aid in digestion. Acid breaks down our teeth and, over time, this can lead to tooth decay and cavities. Sugary substances, like soda and candy, can be particularly harmful to our teeth. Try to limit your sugar intake and choose healthier snacks like fruits, veggies and nuts. 

Attempting DIY orthodontics

Yes, this has become an actual thing because of trends on social media platforms like TikTok. The trend is that you can move and straighten your teeth on your own at home with gap bands, rubber bands, paperclips and other household items. This is highly advised against. It’s extremely dangerous and orthodontics work should be performed only by trained professionals. Simply put, orthodontic movement needs to be done precisely. If it’s not, you can permanently damage your teeth, gums and roots. This can even lead to bone loss and tooth loss.

Avoiding regular dental checkups

You may wonder if you need to go to the dentist bi-annually if you’re not experiencing mouth pain or having any known problems. The short answer: yes, you still need to visit your dentist regularly. Regular dental checkups keep your teeth cleared of tartar and plaque, both of which cause tooth decay. Additionally, just because there isn’t a problem on your radar, that doesn’t mean everything is necessarily perfect. By maintaining your regular dental checkups, you provide professionals like us with the opportunity to ensure your oral health is up to par and enable us to detect and remedy any potential issues early. 

Have questions about any dental health concerns? Contact us – we’re here and happy to assist you!