Songjeong-dong Dental Clinic, “What Bad Habits for Dental Health Do We Repeat Without Realizing It?”

Hello, this is S Leader Dental Hospital in Gwangjin-gu.

If you brush thoroughly three times a day and get regular scaling, can you completely protect your dental health? Small habits that we repeat without even noticing often end up harming dental health instead.

In particular, did you know that everyday actions we repeat absentmindedly can accumulate damage to our teeth over time and eventually lead to cavities, periodontal disease, and, in severe cases, even tooth fracture?

Today, let’s look at bad habits for dental health that we repeat without realizing it.

1. Habit of clenching your teeth

Many people have the habit of clenching their teeth when under stress. Consciously clenching your teeth, or grinding them during sleep (bruxism), not only puts strain on the temporomandibular joint but can also create microcracks in the teeth.

These microcracks can gradually deepen over time and may develop into tooth crack syndrome. Bruxism often happens unconsciously during sleep, making it difficult to notice, so if your jaw feels stiff in the morning or you often get headaches, it is a good idea to consult a dentist.

2. Habit of biting your nails or chewing on straws, pens, and similar items

Biting your nails or chewing on pens, straws, and similar objects is also not good for dental health. These behaviors place continuous external pressure on the front teeth and increase the risk of wear or chipping at the edges of the front teeth.

In particular, nails and plastic materials are relatively hard, so repeated friction can worsen tooth wear and may lead not only to cosmetic issues but also to functional damage.

3. Habit of chewing hard foods or ice

One of the things we do without thinking is chewing hard foods or ice. Ice is not harder than teeth, but when a sudden strong force is applied along with the cold temperature, it can create tiny cracks in the teeth.

Moreover, frequently chewing hard foods such as dried squid, nutshells, or candy can repeatedly fatigue the teeth and may cause wear or fracture. In fact, among people who enjoy hard foods, there are unexpectedly many cases with tiny cracks in their teeth.

4. Brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with stiff bristles

In addition, brushing too hard or using a toothbrush with bristles that are too stiff can also be a problem. Brushing hard may seem like it removes plaque better, but it can actually damage the enamel and wear down the cervical area of the tooth (the area between the tooth and the gum), causing sensitivity.

In particular, incorrect brushing habits can also irritate the gums and cause gum recession. It is better to brush gently with a soft toothbrush at a 45-degree angle to the teeth and gums.

It is also important not to overlook the habit of keeping food in your mouth for a long time. This is especially common in children. If sweet drinks or snacks are held in the mouth for a long time, sugar remains in contact with the tooth surface longer, increasing the likelihood of cavities.

Also, going to bed without brushing after a late-night snack is one of the major causes of cavities and gum disease.

At night, saliva production decreases and bacterial activity becomes more active, so brushing before bed should be done even more thoroughly.

Carbonated drinks and fruit juice, which we often drink in daily life, are also linked to habits that harm dental health. Frequently drinking acidic beverages weakens the enamel on the tooth surface and can make teeth wear down more easily or cause sensitivity.

In particular, sipping drinks little by little over a long time or holding them in your mouth for too long makes the acid stay in contact with the teeth longer, which is more dangerous. After drinking these beverages, it is better to rinse your mouth with water first and brush your teeth after about 30 minutes rather than brushing immediately.

As such, most habits that threaten our dental health come from a careless attitude of thinking, “It’s no big deal.”

But we must remember that these small habits can accumulate and lead to tooth damage, gum disease, and, in severe cases, even tooth extraction. Once a tooth is damaged, it cannot be restored to its original state, so prevention is most important. Reduce the habit of clenching your teeth, be careful when eating hard foods, and brush gently and carefully.

These small efforts add up and become the power to maintain healthy teeth for a long time.

From this moment on, take a look at your own dental habits and start making an effort for a healthy smile.