Breaking Bad Habits: Teeth are Not Tools

Everyone has done it at one time or another. You’re away from your scissors and need something to cut with. Why not use your pearly whites? Just remember: your teeth are not tools!

The enamel on your teeth is one of the hardest substances in your body. But that doesn’t mean you should use it as your own personal Swiss Army knife. We’ve all heard of people using their teeth to bite off price tags, rip open containers, chomp off pieces of tape, or even open bottles!

Your teeth are not tools

Your tooth enamel is a protective coating in place to protect the tools you need to eat food. And while enamel may be tough, your teeth are not abuse-resistant. They can crack and break just like anything else. Tooth damage is painful, so don’t put your smile at risk.

Be kind to your pearly whites! Use them for chewing and speaking, not as power tools. Here are some ways to start breaking bad habits:

• Stop chewing ice. Although chewing ice is easy to do when it’s hot outside and you’re thirsting for every drop of your icy beverage, don’t do it. Opt for a glass with more water and less ice instead of chowing down on the ice. Save yourself some irreparable damage to your teeth.
• No more cutting – teeth are not scissors. Avoid using your teeth to cut or pull on anything, like tape, bags of chips, fishing line, or even shopping tags. This can wear your enamel down unnecessarily, which could lead to cavities, sensitivity to temperatures, and worse. Use actual tools instead and save yourself the pain and financial misery that comes with oral health damage.

• Don’t be a show-off. Don’t try to pop off a bottle cap with your teeth. Not only can the cap cut your tongue or gums, but it can also crack or break a tooth.

Your teeth should be used for three tasks:

• Cutting and chewing food
• Helping you pronounce words
• Smiling

Chips and cracks on your teeth can be very painful and may lead to permanent damage or even extraction! For some people, chewing on objects like pencils or fingernails is a hard-to-break habit. However, you can stop. It just takes patience and practice.

Learn more about how to keep your teeth healthy:

• Pediatric dentist vs. general dentist: The right choice(s) for your family

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