{"id":939,"date":"2017-07-10T14:58:03","date_gmt":"2017-07-10T19:58:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pineypointoms.com\/blog\/?p=939"},"modified":"2017-07-24T15:36:47","modified_gmt":"2017-07-24T20:36:47","slug":"7-habits-harming-teeth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pineypointoms.com\/blog\/7-habits-harming-teeth\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Habits That Are Harming Your Teeth"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"WomanMaybe you brush and floss just like you\u2019re supposed to, but you could be doing significant harm to your teeth without even realizing it if you\u2019re guilty of one or more of these 7 habits. Find out what they are — and how to start breaking them!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n<\/br>\r\n

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#1 Grinding Teeth<\/h2>\r\n\"ManMany adults grind their teeth — especially during stressful times, like when there\u2019s a deadline at work or you\u2019re running a little behind on a bill. But when tooth grinding becomes a chronic habit, your teeth are at a serious risk of breaking or becoming worn down. The condition known as bruxism, or nighttime teeth grinding, is associated with a number of oral health issues. Take note of when you are likely to clench your jaw throughout the day, and make a conscious effort to relax it. At night, protect your teeth from unconscious teeth grinding and jaw clenching with a custom-fitted mouthguard.\r\n
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#2 Playing Sports Without a Mouthguard<\/h2>\r\n\"Young\r\n\r\nSports like football, rugby, basketball, and wrestling (among others) put your smile at great risk. In fact, one of the most common causes of dental emergencies is contact sports! Protect your or your child\u2019s delicate teeth at play with a custom-fitted mouthguard. Not only will it help to prevent broken, cracked, and missing teeth, but studies show they can actually help to reduce the incidence of concussion<\/a>, too.\r\n
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#3 Chewing Ice<\/h2>\r\n\"ChewingIt\u2019s a common mid-afternoon habit — you\u2019re finished with your drink from lunch, so you mindlessly chomp on the leftover ice until the cup is empty. Unfortunately, doing so puts you at great risk of breaking or chipping your delicate tooth enamel. And if you have sensitive teeth, biting down on ice is a recipe for pain. Avoid the habit by reminding yourself that you\u2019re not getting anything from eating ice. If you\u2019re lacking hydration, reach for a bottle of water, instead.\r\n
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#4 Using Teeth as Tools<\/h2>\r\n\"Teeth\r\n\r\nWhen you\u2019re opening a package and don\u2019t want to put in the time to find the right tools to bust through plastic, it can be tempting to just bite into it. Using your teeth as tools usually works out fine — but when it doesn\u2019t, a trip to the dentist\u2019s office will be in order to repair a broken, cracked, or even completely knocked out tooth. To keep your smile healthy for the long haul, avoid using your teeth as tools at all costs.\r\n
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#5 Smoking<\/h2>\r\n\"ManThe single most damaging habit for oral health has to be tobacco use. Smoking and other nicotine habits put you at a much higher risk of developing gum disease and oral cancer — and if you do develop these conditions, it\u2019s harder to heal if you are a constant tobacco user. Kick the habit to protect your oral and overall health. Ready to quit but unsure how to go about it? Ask your dentist or doctor for tips.\r\n
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\u00a0#6 Soda<\/h2>\r\n\"SodaDark, sugary sodas put your teeth at a much greater risk of cavities, and you\u2019ll also experience tooth staining or discoloration with repeated exposure to the dark pigments. The carbonation in the soda, whether it\u2019s light, dark, sugar-free or not, also weakens your tooth enamel and throws off the pH balance in your mouth. The next time you\u2019re looking for an afternoon pick-me-up, try cold, clear H2O instead. It\u2019s just as (or more) refreshing, without all the associated risks. Water also prevents bad breath and reduces your risk of developing cavities and gum disease.\r\n
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#7 Constant Snacking<\/h2>\r\n\"SaltyWhen it comes to your oral health, it\u2019s not just what you eat that\u2019s important — it\u2019s also when. Your mouth conjures up more saliva during a complete meal than it does at snack time, which means more food particles and bacteria get left behind after a small meal than they do otherwise. If you can, try to eat three complete meals every day rather than many small ones.\r\n
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