You probably didn’t realise these bad habits are ruining your teeth….

When someone says ‘you’re ruining your teeth’ it is usually when your biting or chewing something, but it’s not always as obvious as that – you could be damaging your chompers without realising.

That’s right – some of our my natural habits can be doing huge amounts of damage to our teeth, right under our nose.

So next time you have the urge to do one of the below, consider your pearly whites.

Grinding teeth

Some people believe they aren’t grinding their teeth when they really are – it’s actually quite common. Your dentist will be able to tell and give you solutions, however bruxism is typically caused by stress – so try to eliminate it.

Cough lollies

Just because cough drops are sold in pharmacies doesn’t mean they’re healthy – most are loaded with sugar. After soothing your throat with a lozenge, be sure to drink some water and chew gum.

Opening packages with your teeth

It can be tempting to use your teeth to open bottles or plastic packaging with your teeth when there aren’t any scissors but it is damaging your teeth every time you do it. Cracks or chips can appear, so keep your teeth just for eating!

Chewing ice

This seemingly harmless habit can wreak havoc on your teeth, causing breakages and sensitivity issues. Just because ice melts doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be treated like a rock in your mouth!

Fruit juice

Fruit juice might be loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, but unfortunately most juices are also full with sugar. Look for juice that has no added sugar or reduce the sugar content by diluting juice with some water. Squeezing your own juice is the best way, however all juice natural or not is acidic and not recommended for every meal.

Constant snacking

Snacking produces less saliva than a meal, leaving food bits in your teeth for hours longer. Avoid snacking too frequently, and stick to snacks that are low in sugar and starch such as fruit or veges.

Dried fruit

While some fresh fruits are actually considered good for your teeth, dried fruits never are. This is because dried fruits are packed with non-cellulose fibre, which traps sugar on and around teeth the way candy does.

White wine

Some drinkers believe red wine is the worst drink for your teeth but white is no better. The acid in white wine eats away at your enamel and leaves teeth vulnerable to stains from other foods or drinks. One way to reverse or reduce the affects of white wine on your teeth is to eat cheese with your wine to act as a buffer.

Brushing too hard

It might seem like it’s doing you good but a worn down toothbrush and sensitive teeth are often telltale signs that your toothbrush is causing more damage than good. Try a brush with softer bristles and a technique where you aren’t pressing down. Electric toothbrushes are great at cleaning whilst being gentle.

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