As we enter 2025, it’s the perfect time to reevaluate your daily habits, especially when it comes to oral health. While some routines may seem harmless or are simply done without thought, they can actually cause long-term damage to your teeth and gums. The good news? By breaking these habits now, you can significantly improve your dental health and avoid unnecessary visits to the dentist. In this post, we’ll highlight five dental habits to leave behind in 2025, with tips to help you break them for good.

Brushing Too Hard

Brushing your teeth is a cornerstone of oral hygiene, but brushing too hard can do more harm than good. Many people mistakenly think that brushing harder equals a cleaner mouth, but that’s not true. According to dentists, applying too much pressure while brushing can wear down your enamel and cause gum recession over time.

What’s the problem with gum recession? Once your gums pull back, they expose the sensitive roots of your teeth, leading to pain, sensitivity, and increased risk of cavities. Additionally, damaged enamel doesn’t grow back, so you can’t reverse the effects of aggressive brushing.

How to Fix It:

• Use a soft-bristled toothbrush to minimize damage to your teeth and gums.
• Brush with gentle, circular motions rather than scrubbing back and forth.
• If you’re unsure, try holding your toothbrush with just two fingers—this limits the pressure you apply naturally.

By brushing gently and correctly, you’ll keep your teeth clean and healthy. This small adjustment can make a big difference in your oral health over time.

Using Your Teeth as Tools

Have you ever used your teeth to open a stubborn package or pop off a bottle cap? While it might seem convenient, using your teeth as tools is a risky habit that could cost you. Your teeth aren’t built for tasks like tearing plastic or breaking hard materials. This habit can lead to chips, cracks, or even fractures, which may require expensive dental treatments. Additionally, putting too much pressure on your teeth can weaken their structure over time. One wrong move, and you could be dealing with an unexpected dental emergency.

How to Fix It:

• Keep scissors, bottle openers, or other tools nearby for those tricky tasks.
• Resist the temptation to “just use your teeth” when you’re in a rush.
• Remind yourself that your teeth are meant for chewing food, not for opening objects.

Treat your teeth with care, and they’ll serve you well for years to come. It’s a simple habit to break if you stay mindful and use the right tools for the job.

Chewing on Ice

Chewing on ice might feel refreshing or satisfying, but it’s a habit that can wreak havoc on your teeth. Ice is hard, brittle, and extremely cold, all of which make it dangerous for your enamel. Over time, chewing ice can cause tiny cracks in your teeth, weaken your enamel, or even lead to larger fractures. If you already have fillings, crowns, or veneers, chewing ice can cause these restorations to crack or loosen. This means more trips to the dentist—and more costly repairs.

Why do people chew ice? For some, chewing ice is simply a nervous habit or a way to cool down. For others, it might signal an underlying issue, such as iron deficiency anemia. If you find yourself craving ice regularly, it’s worth mentioning this to your doctor.

How to Fix It:

• Drink cold beverages without ice, or let ice melt in your mouth instead of chewing.
• Chew sugar-free gum if you need something to occupy your mouth.
• Stay hydrated throughout the day to avoid cravings for ice.

By breaking the ice-chewing habit, you’ll protect your teeth from unnecessary damage and reduce your risk of long-term dental issues.

Biting Your Nails

Nail-biting is a common stress-relieving habit, but it’s terrible for your teeth. Biting your nails puts constant pressure on your front teeth, which can cause them to chip, crack, or wear down over time. For people with braces, nail biting can also damage the brackets and delay treatment progress. Beyond tooth damage, biting your nails can harm your jaw. The repetitive motion strains your jaw muscles, increasing your risk of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which causes jaw pain and discomfort.

How to Fix It:

• Identify your triggers which could be stress, boredom, or anxiety, and find healthier ways to cope, like meditation or deep breathing.
• Keep your nails trimmed short to reduce the temptation to bite.
• Try using bitter-tasting nail polish designed to deter nail biting.

Breaking the nail-biting habit takes time, but the benefits for your teeth and jaw are worth it. Plus, your nails will look better, too!

Skipping Night Time Brushing

We’ve all had nights where we’re too tired to brush our teeth, but skipping nighttime brushing is a habit that needs to stop. When you don’t brush before bed, plaque and bacteria build up on your teeth overnight. This can lead to cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. Why is brushing at night so important? Your saliva production decreases while you sleep, which means bacteria can thrive in your mouth. Brushing before bed removes food particles and plaque, keeping your teeth clean and healthy.

How to Fix It:

• Set a reminder on your phone or tie nighttime brushing to another habit, like washing your face.
• Keep your toothbrush and toothpaste visible to serve as a reminder.
• If you’re extremely tired, rinse with mouthwash as a temporary solution—but don’t make this a habit!

Making nighttime brushing a non-negotiable part of your routine can drastically improve your oral health. It only takes two minutes but has long-term benefits.

Conclusion

Breaking bad dental habits may seem challenging, but the rewards for your teeth and overall health are worth the effort. As you step into 2025, focus on eliminating these five harmful habits: brushing too hard, using your teeth as tools, chewing ice, biting your nails, and skipping nighttime brushing. Small changes, like using the right toothbrush or finding healthier stress-relief methods, can make a big difference over time.

By taking better care of your teeth now, you’ll avoid costly dental treatments and enjoy a healthier, brighter smile. Athens Family Dental is here to help you achieve all of your dental goals next year, which is why we invite you to schedule an appointment with us today. Here’s to healthier habits and a happier smile in 2025!