These 3 habits are ruining your teeth, according to a dentist
Each dentist has their own floss-ophy.
Wei Jian, a dentist from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, took to TikTok to share the three common habits people make that could actually ruin their teeth.
Jian’s list instructed viewers to nix the nail-biting, throw away their toothpicks and halt any teeth grinding. Jian’s 15-second viral video has already reached over 12,000 views on the social media platform.
In the first clip, Jian explained that grinding your teeth can lead to having “flat and sensitive teeth,” which he wrote in white text over photos of people’s affected mouths.
Jian then warned TikTokers against using toothpicks, claiming that repeated use could lead to having sensitive teeth along with injured and receding gums.
Lastly, the dentist warned that biting your nails can create problems like chipped and sensitive teeth. In the video, he pointed to pictures of teeth that had been nicked by the bad habit.
Biting your nails can cause the enamel on your teeth to wear away, according to Summit Dental Health. The bad habit may also lead your teeth to move, affecting your bite and the gaps in your smile.
This is not the first time that a dentist has warned against seemingly innocuous, everyday practices. Over the summer, a supposed healthier alternative to soda went viral on TikTok as people began mixing sparkling water with balsamic vinegar. However, the American Dental Association revealed that consuming highly acidic beverages can damage tooth enamel, just like sugary drinks.
“I love balsamic vinegar, but I enjoy it more on my salad than in my drinking glass. It’s much kinder to the teeth than bathing them in a beverage blend of two acids,” said ADA spokesperson Dr. Edmond Hewlett in a statement with the study at the time. “The more acidic the drink, the greater the risk of tooth erosion with frequent consumption.”
Energy drinks are also known to compromise smiles. In 2019, student Vinnie Pyner, 21, claimed that Monster Energy Drinks destroyed his teeth.
Dentists have also warned against crushing ice with your teeth, stating that it can fracture or break parts of your teeth as well as cause cracks in your enamel. And people who have fillings, crowns, veneers, braces or use a retainer are even more prone to tooth damage if they chew ice.
Lesbians, gay men face very different heart disease risks: US cardiac experts
When it’s safe to return to sports after a concussion
‘Viking disease,’ deforming hand disorder, tied to Neanderthals
About The Author
