Taking care of your teeth is a priority today, both for health and aesthetic reasons. Technology is advancing, solutions for every problem are numerous, and patients invest a lot of time, money, and effort to achieve a perfect smile. Despite this, there are many bad habits we practice daily without even realizing their harmful effects on our teeth. Here are the 10 most common ones:
1. Using teeth as tools
Biting off a clothing tag, opening a bag of snacks, or prying open a nail polish bottle—these are seemingly small things you’ve likely done at least once. However, they can lead to tooth damage. Small cracks in the enamel and uneven edges of the front teeth can result from these habits. Patients often complain about the appearance of such teeth, which are not easy to restore permanently. It’s always better to keep scissors handy rather than using your teeth.
2. Brushing teeth immediately after eating or drinking
Although we are taught from an early age to brush our teeth after every meal, doing so immediately after eating can actually harm them. It’s important to wait 30 minutes for saliva to neutralize the acidity in your mouth before brushing. If you brush too soon, you interrupt this process and rub the acid directly into the enamel, leading to damage. This risk also exists for pregnant women who experience morning sickness and vomiting, as stomach acid can harm the enamel.
3. Using a hard-bristled toothbrush
A common statement from patients in the dental office is: “I use a hard-bristled toothbrush because it’s the only way my teeth feel clean.” This belief is a misconception. Hard brushes and vigorous brushing can wear down enamel and cause wedge-shaped erosion (indentations near the gum line). Over time, these areas become sensitive and need to be protected with a composite (white) filling. There are soft brushes with dense bristles that clean thoroughly without causing damage.
4. Drinking black coffee and tea
You’ve probably heard that consuming large amounts of black coffee and tea can stain your teeth—and it’s true. When drinking coffee, always follow it with a glass of water, as caffeine reduces saliva production, creating an acidic environment in your mouth that promotes cavities.
5. Chewing ice cubes
Keeping ice cubes in your mouth can cause micro-cracks in the enamel, which may lead to bigger dental issues over time. Visible cracks in the enamel and increased tooth sensitivity are some of the potential consequences.
6. Eating dried fruit
Satisfying your sugar cravings with dried fruit is better than eating candy, but for dental health, it’s still a harmful habit. Dried fruit contributes to an acidic environment in the mouth, which promotes cavities. Additionally, it sticks to teeth, lingering in the mouth and further increasing acidity.
7. Eating too much fruit
Another paradox—medical doctors encourage eating more fruit throughout the day, while dentists advise the opposite. What should you do? From a dental perspective, it’s best to eat all the fruit you plan to consume in one sitting rather than snacking on it throughout the day. This way, fruit acids won’t constantly affect your teeth. Brush your teeth 30 minutes after eating, and you have nothing to worry about. If brushing isn’t an option, drinking water or eating a piece of cheese can help neutralize the acid.
8. Wine tasting
Like fruit, wine is an acidic drink. White wine is more acidic than red, and sparkling wines are even worse due to carbonation. Sommeliers teach us to swirl a good wine around in our mouths before swallowing. This is one of the worst things you can do for your teeth when consuming acidic drinks, as it allows the liquid to reach all areas of the teeth. To protect your teeth, avoid holding wine in your mouth and, of course, rinse with water afterward to neutralize the acidity.
9. Swimming in the pool
If you frequently swim in pools, chlorine in the water can negatively affect your teeth. Enamel erosion and indentations are some possible consequences. When swimming, try to keep your mouth closed to minimize contact between your teeth and the water.
10. Tongue and lip piercings
It is very common for patients with tongue or lip piercings to chip their enamel while eating or playing with their jewelry.
If any of this information is new to you, the next time you catch yourself chewing on ice cubes or opening a snack bag with your teeth, remember what it means for your dental health. Also, if you have a habit you’re unsure about, feel free to ask us, and we’ll gladly provide advice!
