footer icon1 footer icon2
Dentistry
footer icon11 footer icon22
Face
bloger thumb

5 Daily Habits That Could Be Damaging Your Teeth (And How to Fix Them)

Maintaining a healthy smile goes beyond brushing and flossing. Some daily habits could be causing damage to your teeth without you even realising it. At Evolve Dentistry, we want to help you protect your oral health by identifying these harmful habits and providing solutions to keep your teeth strong and healthy.

1. Grinding and Clenching Your Teeth

Why It’s Harmful

Bruxism, or teeth grinding, can lead to enamel wear, jaw pain, and even fractures. Many people grind their teeth unconsciously, especially during sleep or stressful situations.

How to Fix It

  • Use a custom-fitted mouthguard at night to protect your teeth.
  • Practice stress management techniques like meditation or breathing exercises.
  • Be mindful of jaw tension during the day and try to relax your muscles.

2. Using Your Teeth as Tools

Why It’s Harmful

Opening bottles, tearing packaging, or biting nails can put unnecessary stress on your teeth, leading to chips and fractures.

How to Fix It

  • Use scissors or the appropriate tools instead of your teeth.
  • Keep a nail file handy to avoid biting your nails.
  • Be conscious of how you use your teeth to prevent accidental damage.

3. Consuming Too Many Sugary or Acidic Foods and Drinks

Why It’s Harmful

Frequent exposure to sugar and acid weakens tooth enamel, leading to cavities and sensitivity.

How to Fix It

  • Limit sugary and acidic foods such as soda, citrus fruits, and sweets.
  • Drink water after consuming acidic or sugary foods to help neutralise acids.
  • Use a straw when drinking acidic beverages to reduce direct contact with teeth.

4. Brushing Too Hard or Using a Hard-Bristled Toothbrush

Why It’s Harmful

Brushing aggressively or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear down enamel and irritate your gums, causing sensitivity and recession.

How to Fix It

  • Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle circular motions.
  • Don’t apply excessive pressure; let the toothbrush do the work.
  • Replace your toothbrush every three months or sooner if the bristles are frayed.

5. Skipping Flossing

Why It’s Harmful

Brushing alone doesn’t remove food particles and plaque from between your teeth, increasing the risk of cavities and gum disease.

How to Fix It

  • Make flossing a daily habit to clean hard-to-reach areas.
  • Use floss picks or water flossers if traditional flossing is difficult.
  • Floss before bedtime to ensure your teeth stay clean overnight.

Take Action for a Healthier Smile

Being aware of these habits and making small changes can have a big impact on your oral health. At Evolve Dentistry, we are here to help you achieve and maintain a healthy, beautiful smile. If you have any concerns or need personalised advice, book an appointment with us today!

Take a look at our CQC report

back to blog

Get in touch

Tooth Whitening & Hygiene Appointment

At Home Whitening With Hygiene

£29.95

Learn more

Dental Health Plan

Options for all treatments

New Patients Welcome

We are accepting new patients, book an introduction call today

Book An Introduction Call
We are on Instagram
Clenching, headaches, pain when chewing… these can all be signs of TMJ problems.

In this video, Yasmin explains some of the common symptoms people experience and how treatments using neurotoxins can help relax the muscles around the jaw.

For some patients, this can reduce tension, relieve discomfort and improve day-to-day symptoms.

If you’ve been experiencing jaw pain or tension, it may be worth having a conversation about your options.

Book a consultation with our team at Evolve Face to learn more.

#TMJ #JawPain #FacialAesthetics #EvolveFace #Portishead
We are currently accepting new patients at Evolve.

If you’re looking for modern dental care in a friendly, patient-focused practice, we would love to welcome you.

Our team provides a wide range of dental treatments in a relaxed environment, with a focus on long-term oral health and natural-looking results. We’re proud to be a multi award-winning practice, and everything we do is centred around putting patients first.

We also offer finance options to help make treatment more manageable.

If you’ve been thinking about joining a new dental practice, now is a great time to get started.

📍 Evolve Dentistry, Portishead
📞 Contact our reception team on 01275 842550

#Northsomerset #multiawardwinning #patientsatisfaction #patientsfirst #newpatients #acceptingnewpatients #healthysmiles #healthysmile #naturalteeth #portishead #portisheadmarina #nailsea #clevedon #dentist
🪥 Smile hack: timing your tooth brushing

Did you know that brushing your teeth straight after eating isn’t always the best idea?

In this quick video, Maggie explains why it’s better to wait a little while before brushing. After eating, especially acidic foods and drinks, the enamel on your teeth can be temporarily softened. Brushing too soon can actually cause more wear.

Waiting around 30 minutes gives your saliva time to neutralise the acids and protect your teeth.

Watch Maggie’s smile hack to learn the simple change that can help keep your teeth healthier.

#SmileHack #DentalTips #OralHealth #HealthySmile #Portishead
Did you know that chewing sugar free gum after eating can actually help protect your teeth? 🍬➡️🦷

In this video, Carol explains why dentists often recommend sugar free gum after meals. Chewing gum stimulates saliva, which helps wash away food particles and neutralise acids that can lead to tooth decay.

It’s not a replacement for brushing, but it can be a helpful extra habit when you’re out and about and can’t brush your teeth straight away.

#OralHealth #DentalTips #HealthySmile #Portishead
We’re delighted to welcome Flora, our new dental therapist, to the team at Evolve.

Flora works closely with our dentists to help patients maintain healthy smiles. Her role includes supporting gum health, providing preventative care and helping patients keep their teeth and gums in the best possible condition.

She’s passionate about helping people feel comfortable and confident about their oral health, and we’re really pleased to have her join the practice.

If you see Flora during your next visit, please do say hello and give her a warm Evolve welcome.

#MeetTheTeam #DentalTherapist #HealthySmiles #Portishead
How often should you really brush and floss? 🪥✨

Carol breaks it down in this short video, giving clear, practical advice to keep your teeth and gums healthy — and your smile confident.

It’s simple: the right routine makes all the difference. Start small, stay consistent, and your mouth will thank you!

💡 Tip: Even a few minutes more each day can make a big impact on long-term dental health.

#Portishead #DentalCare #OralHealth #BrushingTips #FlossingTips #HealthySmiles #FamilyDentist #EvolveDentistry #NorthSomerset
footer icon1 footer icon2
Dentistry
footer icon11 footer icon22
Face
google rating