4 Habits that could be Wrecking your Smile

habits that ruin your smileMiami and Coral Gables, FL

We all have bad habits, and we know how difficult it can be to break any bad habit. But, some habits can wreck your smile. Even if you practice good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing your teeth daily, and are religious about getting your teeth cleaned and checked by the dentist twice a year, you could be indulging in any one of these four habits that could be damaging to your oral health.

Find out what these habits are, and how your Miami cosmetic dentists at Miami Designer Smiles can help:

  1. Smoking

We know it’s not what you probably want to hear, but let’s cut to the chase – smoking is wrecking your smile. You may not notice it right away, but smoking causes teeth to become yellow and dingy, and even though teeth whitening procedures can whiten your teeth, they’ll just yellow again unless you quit smoking. Furthermore, smoking increases your risk of gum disease – the leading cause of tooth loss among adults – and causes bad breath. So, there really isn’t any good that comes from smoking or tobacco use in general, even vaping or chewing tobacco.

  1. Chewing on ice

This is definitely a tempting habit for many, especially as means of cooling down or quenching one’s thirst. But, refrain from chewing on ice because it could cause tooth fractures, broken or chipped teeth, or damage to your existing restorations. Instead, allow the ice to melt in your mouth, and resist the urge to chomp down on it.

  1. Drinking sweet drinks all the time

Hear us out, we aren’t saying you never can enjoy a sweet beverage, but making it a daily habit or worse yet, sipping on sugary beverages throughout the day is just going to wreck your smile. Sugar fuels cavity-causing bacteria that we all have naturally in our mouths. Even if you are diligent about brushing and flossing daily, and visit the dentist when you’re supposed to, you probably are more likely to get cavities just because of your sugar intake. We recommend that you indulge only occasionally, instead of making sodas, juices, or sports drinks part of your daily routine.

  1. Using your teeth as tools

There’s nothing more irritating than needing to open a package or remove a tag from something when you don’t have any scissors or a pocket knife. Who has never used their teeth as a tool to open something? We all are guilty of it, but using your teeth as a tool is a sure fire way to break or chip a tooth. While there are simple solutions to repairing or restoring a damaged tooth, it costs money. It’s better to prevent injuries to your teeth, so don’t use your teeth as tools.

While it’s easy to suggest avoiding these bad habits that could wreck your smile, the fact is we all get in a hurry or give in to these temptations more than we should, which is why Miami Designer Smiles is here to help. We offer an array of cosmetic dentistry that can restore or repair your damaged teeth, regardless of how they became damaged. If you are interested in learning more or to receive a consultation to learn which treatments are right for you, just call us at (305) 595-4616 to schedule a consultation.

Miami Designer Smiles is proud to provide care for patients in the South Florida communities of Miami and Coral Gables.