Are you wrecking inconceivable damage to your pearly whites without even knowing it? While proper oral care is not exactly rocket science, it can be a little tricky for some. In essence, you have to strike the right balance between what you need to do and what you need to avoid. Below is a list of the ten most damaging oral habits you need to steer clear of.
1. Brushing Too Hard
No doubt about it, brushing is an integral part of any good oral care regimen. However, if you brush too eagerly, you are doing your teeth more harm than good. Brushing too hard will not only sabotage your gums, it can also cause damage to your teeth’s enamel. In addition, it can make your pearly whites sensitive to cold and, in worst case scenarios, can cause cavities. To avoid oral issues related to brushing, choose your toothbrush with care. Opting for a soft bristled one is highly recommended as it has bristles that are firm enough to clear away plaque yet soft enough to not cause any damage.
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2. Consuming Too Much Soda
Are you the type who always has a soda in hand? While not many are aware of it, carbonated drinks is not just detrimental to your overall health, it can also put your teeth in serious jeopardy. The acids found in soda not only corrodes your enamel but it also leads to other serious dental issues like gum line decay. 
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3. Sucking On Lemons
Giving in to lemon cravings every once in a while is okay. However, getting your lemon fix on a regular basis is a totally different story. While lemons contain citric acid that can help boost your immune system, the acid can also drain the teeth of its important minerals. As a result, your ivories will become sensitive to cold drinks and food and will likely become more prone to cracking and chipping.
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4. Constant Nail Biting
Nail biting is not only unhygienic it can also put your teeth in jeopardy. Apart from possibly ending up with broken or chipped teeth from this habit, there is also the possibility of bacteria and germs in your nails getting easy access to your mouth. As a result, you can end up with gum infections or cavities.
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5. Consuming White Wine
Many people assume white wine is a much better alternative compared to red wine as it does not stain the teeth. What many people do not know however, is white wine is highly acidic and as such, can likely cause more permanent teeth damage. Apart from wearing away the enamel, it can make teeth appear yellowish because it exposes the dentin. If you need to get your white wine fix, just make sure you rinse with water after and you can look into eating some cheese to even out the acidity.
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6. Too Much Ice Chewing
If you are one of those people who think ice chewing is a harmless habit, think again! What many people do not know is the hardness and temperature of the ice can sometimes cause teeth to fracture. In some instances, damage can be very severe as to require root canal. Dentists suggest just letting ice melt in your mouth as oppose to forcibly crushing it using your pearly whites.
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7. Using Your Ivories as Tools
Some people use their teeth to open chips and bottles and sometimes tear off tapes. Teeth are not meant to be used as such. This kind of abuse can have a traumatic effect as it can cause teeth to chip or even break. In addition, it can also cause malocclusion otherwise known as poor jaw alignment.
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8. Clenching Your Jaw And Grinding
While there are numerous reasons for grinding and clenching, stress is viewed by many as the number one cause. Whether done on purpose or subconsciously, both can put pressure on your ivories and can even cause microfractures. In addition, both can also cause dental work deterioration.
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9. Not Using Toothpicks Properly
When utilized correctly, toothpicks can greatly help ensure areas between your teeth are kept clean. However, if not used as it should be, it can cause damage to gum tissue. In line with this, it will work to your advantage to not get too aggressive with your toothpick use as it will likely prove counterproductive.
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10. Parking Objects In Between Your Teeth
Many people are guilty of holding objects such as eyeglasses, pens and pencils in between their pearly whites, especially when concentrating. What these people do not often realize is the intensity of the pressure they place on these objects. This habit can result to teeth cracks and in worst case scenarios can even damage existing dental work.
Proper oral care goes beyond teeth whitening and other dental procedures. Generally, it also involves knowing what to avoid so you do not subject your pearly whites to serious jeopardy.
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