Breaking Bad Teeth Habits

There's a saying that goes, "Ignore your teeth, and they'll go away". This is very true for both children and adults, who need their teeth to eat and survive. However, practicing bad habits that may start from a young age can lead to eventual damage and decay, leaving one with the undesired 'Swiss cheese smile'. 

Here's a list of some bad habits that can cause irreparable damage to your teeth: 

1. Ice chewing. After gulping down a nice, cold cup of soda, you see chunks of broken ice underneath it and you can't help but to stuff a few into your mouth and chew on it until it dissolves. But dentists have said that chewing ice can create small cracks within the enamel covering of the teeth and it can grow bigger over time. If you're one who's a fan of cold drinks, opt for those without ice instead. 

2. Putting your baby to sleep with a milk bottle. Young children are naturally rambunctious, and some parents may resort to all kinds of ways to calm them down, including sending them off for naptime with a milk bottle. However, this puts your child at risk of tooth decay as prolonged exposure to sugar in milk can wear down the enamel covering. 

3. Teeth grinding. Most people are unaware of this condition as it often occurs when we're asleep. But the signs are apparent when you wake up as it can leave you with loose teeth, tired jaws, clicking sounds when you open your mouth, and dull headaches. 

4. Excessive intake of sugary foods. It's been long said and warned to us that sugary treats are bad not only for your health, but your teeth as well. Sugary foods are high in acidity, which is the teeth's ultimate kryptonite by eroding the enamel covering. To provide protection, rinse your teeth and brush it with a soft toothbrush after having sugary foods. 

5. Excessive coffee intake. Who can ever live without coffee? While it has proven to be an effective drink to power us through the day, having too much of it can turn our teeth yellow and give us dry mouths as coffee reduces saliva production. 

6. Smoking. Aside from poisoning your lungs and the surrounding air, smoking increases the amount of plaque formed on the teeth, making them more likely to lose their teeth earlier.

If you discover that you've developed the following habits, it's time to kick it to the curb now!