Most of us brush and floss and think our teeth are covered. But small everyday habits can quietly crack, stain, or wear down your teeth over time. More than 1 in 10 adults over age 65 have lost all their teeth, and many of those losses started with habits that seemed harmless.
The good news? Every habit on this list is easy to change once you know about it. Pair these changes with good oral hygiene, and your smile will thank you.
15 Bad Habits to Break
1. Opening Packages With Your Teeth
Your teeth aren’t scissors. Tearing open bags, bottles, or tape can chip or crack a tooth in seconds. Keep scissors handy instead.
2. Smoking and Using Tobacco
Tobacco stains teeth and raises your risk of gum disease and mouth cancer. Quitting is one of the best things you can do for your whole body, including your smile.
3. Biting Your Nails
Nail biting can chip and wear down your front teeth. It also strains your jaw. Keep nails trimmed short or try a bitter-tasting nail polish.
4. Brushing Too Hard
Scrubbing hard doesn’t clean better. It wears away enamel and irritates your gums. Use a soft-bristled brush and gentle, circular motions.
5. Chewing Ice
Ice is hard and cold, a tough combination for enamel. Chewing it can crack teeth or damage fillings. Let ice melt, or choose finely shaved ice instead.
6. Snacking All Day
Every snack starts a new acid attack on your teeth. Grazing all day gives your mouth no time to recover. Try to stick to meals and a few planned snacks.
7. Thumb Sucking After Early Childhood
Thumb sucking is normal for babies. But if it continues after the adult teeth start coming in, it can push teeth out of line. Here are some tips on how to break a thumb-sucking habit.
8. Eating Lots of Acidic Foods
Lemons, citrus, and pickled foods can soften enamel. Rinse with water afterward, and wait about 30 minutes before brushing so your enamel can harden again.
9. Grinding and Clenching
Many people grind their teeth in their sleep without knowing it. Grinding wears teeth down and can cause jaw pain and headaches. A night guard from your dentist can protect your teeth.
10. Chewing on Pens and Pencils
Chewing pens can chip teeth and wear them down. It often happens when you’re stressed or focused. Try sugar-free gum instead.
11. Drinking Soda, Sports Drinks, and Alcohol
These drinks are acidic, and many are full of sugar. Alcohol also dries out your mouth, which raises your cavity risk. Water is always the best choice.
12. Using Toothpicks the Wrong Way
Toothpicks are for removing food, not scraping plaque. Poking too hard can hurt your gums and scratch your teeth. Floss is a safer choice.
13. Eating Too Much Sugar
Sugar feeds the bacteria that cause cavities. Sticky sweets like candy and dried fruit are the worst, since they cling to your teeth. Choose fresh fruit when you can.
14. Playing Sports Without a Mouthguard
One stray ball or elbow can knock out or break a tooth. A custom mouthguard fits better and protects more than a store-bought one. Learn more about preventing mouth injuries.
15. Skipping Dental Checkups
Small problems are easy and inexpensive to fix. Big ones aren’t. Regular checkups catch cavities, gum disease, and cracks early, before they cause pain.
How to Break a Bad Habit
Changing a habit takes time. These tips can help:
- Pick one habit at a time. Small wins build momentum.
- Swap it for something better. Chew sugar-free gum instead of ice or pens.
- Notice your triggers. Many habits, like nail biting and grinding, get worse with stress.
- Ask your dentist for help. Night guards, mouthguards, and quit-tobacco support all make a difference.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the worst habit for your teeth?
Smoking is one of the most harmful because it affects your gums, stains your teeth, and raises your cancer risk. For daily wear and tear, grinding and using your teeth as tools cause a lot of damage.
Is chewing ice really that bad?
Yes. Ice can crack enamel and damage fillings, especially if you chew it often.
Should I brush right after eating?
If you ate or drank something acidic, wait about 30 minutes. Rinse with water first so your enamel can recover.