By now, you know how important it is to take good care of your oral hygiene. However, even if you brush and floss daily, you could still unknowingly be doing things that can damage your pearly whites. Here are five habits that can hurt your teeth.

Using Your Teeth as Tools
If you are like a lot of people, you have probably used your teeth to open a bag of chips or tear off a price tag. However, using your teeth as tools can wear down their enamel over time, making them susceptible to cracks and chips. You should only use your teeth to chew food.

Grinding Your Teeth
If you clench down on your teeth every day, you can eventually wear down your enamel. Whether you grind your teeth at night or during the day, it is possible to stop. If
you can’t quit the habit on your own, ask your general dentist for a mouth guard the next time you visit our Locust dentist office.

Crunching on Ice
Crunching on leftover ice from a glass of soda might not seem like a big deal, but it can actually do a lot of damage over time. The brittle texture and cold temperature of ice can cause your teeth to fracture. The next time you are tempted to chew on ice, just think about what it can do to your teeth.

Brushing Your Teeth Too Aggressively
You might think that brushing your teeth with a lot of force will remove more plaque, but it can actually weaken the enamel over time. It’s better to brush your teeth in gentle, circular motions. Also, make sure to use a soft-bristle toothbrush your dentist give you at dental exams.