Teeth are one of the most crucial parts of our body. It helps us chew food, speak properly and also gives shape to our face. But, most of the times, we unknowingly damage our teeth with innocent habits which need to be stopped.

Here are some common habits which can damage our teeth severely:.

Using teeth as a tool

Many people use their teeth as a tool for opening bottles, chewing nails, tearing packets and so on. Using teeth as a tool is never a good idea as it can leave your teeth damaged or broken.

While biting down hard on an object, the pressure can damage your teeth and loosen them. Habits like these can lead to chipped or broken teeth, which might need to be repaired.

Stress eating

Many of us deal with stress by constantly snacking, which affects our teeth badly. When we eat, our mouth produces saliva naturally, which helps to neutralize acid and keeps our mouth moist.

But when we constantly eat, the saliva production slows down and creates more acids in the mouth, leading to tooth decay and cavities. Also, stress eating often includes sugary and starchy items, which are bad for our oral health.

Clenching and grinding teeth

Many people clench and grind their teeth unknowingly, especially during sleep. This habit is common among people dealing with stress and anxiety. Continuous grinding and clenching of teeth can lead to jaw pain, headaches, and also damage to teeth.

Over time, it can cause teeth to become flattened, chipped, or cracked. In severe cases, it can even loosen teeth from sockets or cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders.

Chewing ice

Many people love to chew ice, especially during hot weather. However, ice chewing is terrible for your teeth, hard as it is, it can damage your teeth by chipping, cracking or breaking them.

Additionally, continuous exposure to extreme cold can make the enamel more brittle and sensitive, leading to tooth loss in some cases.

Biting nails

Biting nails is a common habit among many people, but it also affects our teeth negatively. Continuous nail biting can wear down teeth enamel and break them.

Apart from that, constantly biting nails can transfer the germs from our fingers to our mouth, leading to infections.

Drinking acidic drinks

Many acidic drinks like soda, energy drinks, wine, lemon water and sports drinks can cause havoc on our teeth. Acidic drinks can attack the enamel of the teeth, making it easier for bacteria to cause decay.

The acid level in these drinks softens and dissolves the enamel, leading to cavities, yellowing and tooth decay if the habit continues.

Brushing too hard

While brushing our teeth, we need to be very careful. Brushing too hard or too frequently can lead to erosion of the enamel, making the teeth more sensitive, painful and yellow.

Apart from that, excessive brushing can cause gum recession, making the teeth loose and unstable.

Chewing pens and pencils

Another common habit that we do unknowingly is chewing pens, pencils and other objects. Chewing on these objects can lead to chipped, broken, or cracked teeth. Also, chewing on them can transfer bacteria into our mouth, leading to infections.

Smoking cigarettes

Smoking can lead to a range of negative health effects on your body, and one of those effects includes harming your teeth. Smoking can cause yellowing, weaken the gums, damage the enamel, and lead to oral cancer.

To maintain oral health, it is best to abstain from smoking altogether.

Using your mouth to hold objects

Another bad habit that many people do unintentionally is using their mouths to hold objects. This includes holding pins, hairpins, and other such items between your teeth.

While doing so, you end up putting pressure on your teeth, which can lead to decay, breakage, and even loosening of the teeth.

In conclusion, habits like these can significantly affect our oral health, leading to long-term damage. It is essential to be aware of these habits and make efforts to stop them gradually.

Regular dental check-ups are also necessary to catch any damage to your teeth and treat it on time.