[Seoul Dental Clinic] What Are the 5 Habits That Threaten Dental Health?

Many people think that they can protect their dental health just by brushing their teeth diligently, but in fact, there are many bad habits hidden in our daily lives

that gradually harm dental health.

Even if there does not seem to be a big problem on the surface, repeating these habits over a long period of time can damage teeth and affect the gums as well, so they are things that must be recognized and corrected.

Today, I will go into detail about one of the topics I often see in the treatment room and one I definitely want to share with patients:

“5 habits that threaten dental health.”

If you have any of these habits, I recommend starting to change them slowly from now on.

1. Teeth grinding and clenching

Many people unconsciously clench their teeth tightly when they are stressed or concentrating.

Teeth grinding while sleeping at night is especially dangerous because people often do not realize they are doing it.

These habits put excessive pressure on the teeth, causing them to wear down, crack, or, in severe cases, break.

They can also lead to various symptoms such as jaw joint pain, headaches, and facial muscle pain.

In dental clinics, we sometimes make a device called a “night guard” for such patients, and in severe cases, bite adjustment may be necessary. The important thing is to recognize that you have this habit and, if possible, practice consciously relaxing during the day.

2. Eating hard foods, ice, and biting off bottle caps

If you often eat hard jerky, dried squid, bone-in foods, or ice, or if you have the habit of opening bottle caps with your teeth or cutting thread with your teeth, then you are essentially using your teeth like tools.

These habits cause tiny cracks in the teeth, and over time those cracks can grow larger, eventually causing the tooth to break.

A cracked tooth cannot be restored to its original state, and sometimes it even leads to extraction. People often say that hard foods feel satisfying to chew and help relieve stress, but please remember that from the teeth’s perspective, they are a tremendous burden.

3. Frequently eating sweets

The number one food that is bad for teeth is, of course, sugar.

Foods high in sugar, such as chocolate, candy, jelly, sweet coffee, and fruit juice, become a “source of nutrition” for bacteria in the mouth. The bacteria consume the sugar and produce acidic substances, and this acid is the starting point of cavities.

The real problem is the habit of eating little amounts frequently.

Compared with eating a lot of sweets at once and then brushing your teeth, keeping sweets in your mouth little by little throughout the day makes cavities much easier to form. If you like sweet foods, it is better to eat them right after a meal whenever possible and brush your teeth as well.

Also, drinking water frequently helps stimulate saliva production and is very helpful in preventing cavities.

4. Irregular brushing and incorrect brushing technique

How many times a day do you brush your teeth?

Even if you brush without fail in the morning and at night and after meals, if your brushing technique is wrong, it can actually harm your teeth and gums.

If you scrub too hard, use a toothbrush with bristles that are too hard, or have the habit of brushing repeatedly in only one direction, it can wear down the tooth’s “cervical area” (the boundary between the gums and the tooth) and cause the gums to recede. This can also be a major cause of tooth sensitivity.

It is ideal to use a toothbrush with soft bristles and brush lightly in a vibrating motion at a 45-degree angle.

And don’t forget to replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.

5. Mouth breathing and the habit of pushing teeth with the tongue

People who often keep their mouths open while living or who sleep with their mouths open are likely engaging in “mouth breathing.”

In this case, the inside of the mouth becomes dry, saliva’s protective function decreases, and bacteria can multiply easily. Dryness in the mouth increases the risk of both cavities and gum disease.

Also, the habit of pushing the front teeth with the tongue or pressing the tongue against the cheeks is a problem. These habits gradually misalign the teeth, can cause relapse after orthodontic treatment, and may put strain on the jaw joints.

Practicing keeping the mouth closed and breathing through the nose, and properly maintaining the tongue’s position on the roof of the mouth, is very important.

That is why I always say this in the treatment room:

“More important than treatment is prevention,

and more important than prevention is your daily habits.”

Check whether the five habits introduced today may have become part of your daily life.

If you improve them one by one, you can keep your teeth healthy for a long time.

A dental clinic is not just a place to visit when you are in pain, but a place to visit in advance to protect your health.

Maintain a healthy oral condition through good daily habits and regular checkups.