10 Bad Habits that Give Us Cavities

Cavities are one of the most common dental problems in the United States. In fact, over 50% of American adults have had at least one cavity in their lifetime. Cavities are caused by bacteria that consume sugar and produce acid. This acid attacks your teeth, causing decay and eventually a cavity. If you want to keep your smile healthy and cavity-free, it is important to avoid bad habits that can damage your teeth! In this blog post, we will discuss ten bad habits that can give you cavities.

Drinking Soda

Drinking soda is one of the worst things you can do for your teeth. Soda is full of sugar and acid, both of which contribute to cavities. The sugar in soda feeds the bacteria that produce acid, which attacks your teeth and causes cavities. It is important to avoid drinking soda if you want to keep your smile healthy. However, minimizing soda intake, using a straw, and rinsing your mouth with water after can all help decrease the damage done by soda.

Chewing on Gummy Snacks

Gummy snacks are another common source of sugar and acid. Like soda, the sugar in gummy snacks feeds the bacteria that produce acid. This acid then attacks your teeth and causes cavities. Gummy snacks also tend to accumulate on the rough surfaces of your teeth, where they can feed bacteria for hours. It is important to avoid chewing on gummy snacks if you want to keep your smile healthy. If you must have a gummy snack, go for the sugar-free options, brush your teeth afterwards, or at least rinse your mouth with water to remove the sugar and acid from your teeth.

Using Your Teeth as Tools

Many people use their teeth as tools, such as to open a bottle or package. However, this can damage your teeth and cause cavities. When you use your teeth as tools, you put them at risk of being chipped or cracked. This damage can provide an opening for bacteria to enter your tooth and cause a cavity. It is important to avoid using your teeth as tools if you want to keep your smile healthy.

Grinding Your Teeth

Grinding your teeth can damage your enamel and cause cavities. When you grind your teeth, you put them at risk of being chipped or cracked. This damage can provide an opening for bacteria to enter your tooth and cause a cavity. It is important to avoid grinding your teeth if you want to keep your smile healthy. If you think you grind your teeth, be sure to see your dentist right away so they can prescribe you a nightguard to protect your teeth.

Constant Snacking

If you are constantly snacking throughout the day, you are putting your teeth at risk of cavities. When you snack, you are exposing your teeth to sugar and acid. This sugar and acid can attack your teeth and cause cavities. It is important to avoid snacking constantly if you want to keep your smile healthy. If you must snack, be sure to pick foods that don’t cause plaque accumulation such as apples, carrots, or celery. You should also brush your teeth 30 minutes afterwards or rinse your mouth with water to remove the sugar and acid from your teeth.

Smoking

Smoking is bad for your overall health, but it is also bad for your oral health. Smoking can damage your teeth and cause cavities. When you smoke, you are exposing your teeth to tar and nicotine. These substances can attack your teeth and cause decay. It is important to avoid smoking if you want to keep your smile healthy.

Brushing Too Soon

Many people think that they should brush their teeth immediately after eating. However, this is not the case. When you brush your teeth immediately after eating, you are actually brushing away the enamel that protects your teeth. This can damage your teeth and cause cavities. It is important to wait 30 minutes after eating before you brush your teeth. This will give your saliva time to neutralize the acid in your mouth and protect your teeth.

Flossing Without Floss

Many people think that they can floss their teeth without using floss. Instead, they may use things like fingernails, strands of hair, cutlery, toothpicks, or safety pins. However, by using these things to floss, you are actually damaging your teeth and risking injury to your gums. Not to mention, you are not effectively removing plaque and instead are allowing it to accumulate. It is important to only use floss when you floss your teeth.

Not Maintaining Your Toothbrush

Your toothbrush is an important tool in keeping your smile healthy. However, you need to maintain your toothbrush or it can become contaminated with bacteria. This bacteria can then be transferred to your teeth and cause cavities. It is important to allow your toothbrush to dry after use and replace it every three months when the bristles fade or fray.

Sharing Eating Utensils

Sharing eating utensils with someone who has cavities can put you at risk of getting cavities. When you share eating utensils, you are exposing your teeth to the bacteria that cause cavities, as well as possible cold or flu germs. It is important to avoid sharing eating utensils if you want to keep your smile healthy.

In Conclusion

In this blog post, we have discussed ten bad habits that can damage your teeth and cause cavities. Cavities are a serious problem that can damage your teeth and cause pain. If you have cavities, be sure to see your dentist right away so they can fix the problem. There are many things you can do to prevent cavities, but the best way to avoid them is to see your dentist regularly and brush and floss your teeth daily.