13 Feb Hidden Habits That May Harm Your Teeth
Your unconscious daily habits might be putting your teeth at risk. Do you have unexplained headaches and wear on your teeth? You may be grinding them! There are other seemingly harmless behaviors that can cause significant damage over time. From clenching your teeth under stress to using them as makeshift tools, these hidden habits can lead to increased sensitivity or chipped teeth. We’ll highlight some hidden habits that harm teeth and why you should avoid them.
Four Unconscious Habits That Are Bad for Your Teeth
1: Grinding or clenching teeth when stressed or asleep
If you’re not aware you’re doing it, teeth grinding can be a hard habit to identify. Many people grind or tap their teeth together subconsciously when experiencing stress. Some people even do it in their sleep.
Want to check to see if this is affecting you? Here are the symptoms:
- Sore face and jaw muscles
- Headaches
- A clicking or popping sound in your jaw
- Pain in your teeth
If you suspect you’re grinding your teeth, ask your dentist for their opinion. It’s something denture-wearers need to be conscious of as well. Habitual clenching can affect the fit of your dentures if your jaw shape becomes warped from constant pressure.
2: Using your teeth to open things
Never use your teeth as a grip, scissors, bottle-opener, or any sort of tool. It can be a serious mistake. We’ve seen all kinds of dental damage from people using their teeth to tear open hard plastic packaging or prying open a stubborn container. The reason it’s so bad is because you can easily chip a tooth or wear down your enamel from regularly using your teeth as tools.
3: Absentmindedly chewing on hard objects
Many people will absentmindedly chew on something when they’re ruminating, solving a problem, or listening intently to a podcast or program. It’s the brain’s way of finding some sensory activity while your mind is busy. From pen caps to fingernails to ice chips, absentmindedly chewing on hard objects can really hurt your teeth. If this is a habit you can’t break, find a safe alternative that won’t harm your dental health.
4: Constantly sipping on beverages
Do you go from one cup of coffee to another, and then switch to tea after lunch or beer after dinner? Even though some beverages like green tea can be good for you, constantly sipping on throughout the day can create a bad bacterial environment in your mouth.
Constant exposure to the acids in drinks like soda, juice, and coffee can erode tooth enamel over time, leading to sensitivity and decay. It also promotes plaque buildup. It’s best to give your mouth a break between beverages, and to rinse with water immediately after enjoying something acidic or sugary.
Repair for Damaged Teeth in Sun Lakes, Arizona
Here’s some good news: most damage from these hidden habits that harm teeth can be repaired, fixed, or otherwise corrected by your dentist! Saba and Chiappetti Dental Associates can repair chipped teeth, prevent tooth loss, correct an improper bite, improve the fit of your dentures, and help relieve pain from teeth grinding. If you need help, please don’t hesitate to reach out with your questions or request an appointment. We look forward to meeting you!
Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (1.17.2025). Photo by Jan Krivec on Unsplash.