file000779001753You can brush your teeth after every meal, floss well every night, and never miss a dental check up and still have trouble with your oral hygiene. How? You have other bad habits damaging your teeth and you may not even be aware of them. Five of the worst are listed below. If you find yourself doing any of these things try to correct the behavior, it will help save your teeth.

1. Soda

How much soda do you drink over the course of a day? Sure it’s delicious and fun to drink but soda contains a lot of sugar and is also acidic. Both will lead to tooth decay. Meanwhile, too much coffee and iced tea can cause teeth discoloration in the bargain. It may be a good idea to switch to fresh fruit juices or plain water, but if you really like your soda, sip it through a straw and thereby minimize your exposure to soda. Be sure the straw is positioned toward the back of the mouth, not resting against your teeth.

2. Opening Things “Easy” Way

We see this almost everyday, people using their teeth as tools. How often have you used your teeth to tear open a bag of potato chips, maybe to uncap a bottle of ibuprofen, even to rip a price tag off a piece of clothing? Using your teeth this way can be hard on your teeth, weakening them or causing the edge of a weakened tooth to chip off or fracture. A too sharp edge may even wound your gums or scratch your teeth. Use real tools for these jobs – a decent pair of scissors can save your teeth.

3. Grinding

For a lot of people grinding their teeth is a nervous response. You may be upset, anxious, or just may be antsy, whatever the case, grinding your teeth can wear them down significantly. Your dentist may suggest wearing a mouth guard to protect your teeth from unconscious grinding at night. However, during the day, try to pause, stop the grinding, and channel your energy elsewhere.

4. Ice

Whether you’re drinking soda, tea, or plain water you probably add ice to your glass. When you finish your drink do you much on those leftover ice cubes or crushed ice? The brittleness and cold temperature of ice cubes can actually cause teeth to fracture. At the very least, they can cause microscopic cracks in the surface of the enamel, which could lead to bigger dental problems over time. In fact, other hard food items, such as popcorn kernels, and fruit pits, tend to stress the teeth and should also be avoided.

5. Overzealous Brushing

Do you prefer firm bristled toothbrushes to soft ones? As we age, our gums push back and the roots of our teeth can become exposed, often increasing sensitivity. A brush with too-firm bristles may irritate the gums and lead to sensitive teeth. Do you also brush your teeth too firmly, moving from side to side rather than in a circular motion? A brush handled too roughly, will also contribute to the problem. It’s best to ask your dentist or hygienist to recommend a toothbrush tailored for your needs, and try a gentler hand with the brushing.

If you identify with any of the behaviors mentioned, try to be more conscious of it. If you can slowly put a stop to it your teeth will be in better health and last much longer.