Bad Dental Habits to Leave Behind 

Brushing, flossing, and mouthwash are good dental habits promoting healthy teeth and gums. However, there are some bad dental habits that you need to keep in check in order to maintain good oral hygiene. After all, it is your body, and you can take care of it better than anyone else. You should know which lifestyle habit you may need to change. 

It is never too late to change your ways. If you think your teeth and gums have already suffered too much loss and there is no going back, you are wrong. Visit a dentist in Omaha, NE, to understand the extent of the damage and know your treatment and surgery options. Meanwhile, check whether you have one or more of the following bad dental habits. 

Bad dental habits to leave behind 

• Crunching, sucking, and sipping. 

If you are surprised that crunching, sucking, and sipping are deteriorating your dental health, you are not alone. These are activities that people do every day without thinking much about it. Crunching foods can cause microscopic cracks over the surface of your teeth that may not be apparent at first but can cause dental problems down the lane. Sucking and sipping sugary drinks, like juices and sodas, are a major problem in the dental world. 

• Nail biting. 

You may have grown up hearing from your parents that it is bad to bite or chew your nails but never really got to know the reason why. Nail biting is a common problem that people have, especially when they are stressed or anxious about something. Biting or chewing your nails can chip away or damage the surface of your teeth and wear down your enamel. Your dentin may be exposed and cause sensitivity to hot and cold foods. You may also experience a higher chance of tooth decay and cavities. 

• Chewing on ice. 

If you love chewing on ice, you are part of a community of millions of people. Sadly, it is not a good habit, and you need to leave it behind if you love your smile. Ice is an extremely hard substance, and chewing on it can significantly crack or chip your teeth. Think of chewing ice as the same thing as biting down on a rock. You may accidentally chip or crack your tooth enamel, which can cause excruciating pain. 

• Using teeth as tools. 

Your teeth are meant to help you chew and eat your food. They are meant to be used as tools to open a soda or beer bottle, crack a walnut or straighten a bent fork. Doing this can be hard on your teeth.