You brush at least twice a day and floss once-a-day (we hope!) and probably feel you do a pretty good job of looking after your teeth. But what about those everyday habits that are all too easy to overlook and which could be ruining all your good work?

Sugary Snacks and Teeth

It’s so easy to reach for something sugary to beat that mid-afternoon dip, but sugar is a real problem for teeth. Even worse, when it is eaten on its own, then it has a chance to cling to your teeth for longer, providing food for acid-producing bacteria that will weaken your tooth enamel, increasing the risk of cavities. Keep sugary treats as part of a main meal when the damage will be less and instead opt for a tooth friendly snack such as fruit or veggies or cheese.

Fizzy Drinks and Fruit Juice

These can be laden with sugar and the diet versions will almost certainly contain lots of acid so you can’t win either way. It is better to eat the fruit rather than drink the juice and try to get used to drinking plain water to quench your thirst.

Using Your Teeth as Tools

You probably know this one is bad but we are going to include it anyway. Using your teeth to open packets, or even worse to open bottle caps, increases your chances of chipping or cracking your teeth. It only takes a few seconds to reach for the right tools and could save your teeth and your wallet.

Subconscious Habits

Biting your nails or chewing on pens and pencils can all damage your teeth. These habits are often subconscious so can be harder to break, but painting your nails and any well-chewed pencils with anti-nail biting solution could help quit these habits.