Your permanent teeth are the only real teeth you will ever have in your lifetime, and that is why you should make sure you do everything you can to protect them. If you currently brush and floss daily and visit a dentist regularly, you might think you are doing everything possible; however, there is a chance you might have some habits in your life that are damaging your teeth. Here are some common habits people have that are really bad for teeth.

Brushing too much or too hard

Are you the type of person that uses a lot of force when brushing your teeth because it seems like this cleans them better? If so, you might actually be causing more harm than good to your teeth. Brushing too hard is not a good habit to have, especially if you use a hard-bristled toothbrush. When you brush like this, it could remove the enamel from your teeth, and this is not a good thing. Brushing with a slight amount of force is all your teeth need for a good cleaning, so you should try to use less force from now on if you currently brush really aggressively.

Flossing too much

Did you know that even though flossing is a good thing for your teeth, you might be damaging your gums if you floss too much? Flossing once a day is usually enough to keep your mouth clean. If you floss too much and are not flossing properly, you could be cutting into your gums. If you do this, your gums will be at risk for problems. If you currently floss multiple times a day, you may want to cut back to just once or twice.

Grinding your teeth

If you grind your teeth while you sleep, you might not even realize you have this habit, unless someone tells you about it or your dentist sees the effects grinding has on teeth. Grinding can lead to a sore jaw and a headache and can also cause you to shave down your teeth. This happens little by little, but it can have devastating effects on your teeth if you do it for years. Over time, you will remove the enamel from your teeth, and this will expose your teeth to an increased risk of cavities and other problems. If you suspect that you may do this while you sleep, talk to your dentist about it.

If you have any of these habits, you should talk to your dentist about the effects they may be having on your teeth. Your dentist can fix any problems you currently have and help you find ways to prevent further problems from occurring. Contact a service, like A Q Denture Services, for more help.