By Danica A
•
01 Mar, 2022
Do you have any of these habits? If so, you could be harming your teeth. Find out what they are and how to avoid them for a happy, healthy smile. When it comes to dental health, a little mindfulness in our day-to-day lives goes a long way. By adding a thing or two to your daily routine and removing some other common habits, you can help strengthen and shield your teeth from harm. Below is a list of things that many of us do — often without even thinking about it — that can harm our mouths. If you notice any that apply to you, don’t worry! We’ve included an idea or two under each item to help you break the habit. But be sure to look through the list carefully. You might find something you didn’t know was harmful! 1. Using Your Teeth as Nail Clippers Of all the items on this list, nail-biting has to be the most common dental health-damaging habit. It’s so popular that there’s even a scientific term for it: Onychophagia…and according to research by the Journal of Dermatological Treatment , anywhere from 20 to 30% of Americans compulsively bite their nails. This habit is a big promoter of local infections around the nails, and putting the dirt and bacteria from under your nails into your mouth also leaves you with a greater risk of developing illnesses more often, but how does biting your nails affect your dental health? Well, first, your teeth simply aren’t made for chewing on hard objects like fingernails. Your enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth, is meant solely for natural foods. When you chew on your nails, especially frequently over a long period of time, you wear down your enamel and leave yourself vulnerable to chips , breaks, and even tooth decay. Not only that, but the position you put your mouth in can affect the alignment of your jaw. Usually, when you chew your nails, either your lower or upper jaw is extended outward. Combined with the force you put into biting down, this uneven position can lead to misalignment, clicking and popping when opening your mouth, and even jaw pain — also known as TMD .