World Oral Health Day 2025: 7 Daily Habits That Are Secretly Damaging Your Teeth

World Oral Health Day 2025: Every year 20 March is observed as World Oral Health Day to spread awareness about Oral Hygiene and empower people with the knowledge and tools to have good oral health. Our teeth, tongue, and mouth are one of the major factors to impact our confidence. Be it bad breath or a sprinkle of oregano stuck in our teeth, we all remember how it makes us instinctively shrink. But it need not be the case.  

And not to forget, good oral health means overall good health, as more than just food enters your body through your oral passage. So it is indeed to keep our oral health in check, and take necessary and immediate actions when needed.  

While everyone does focus on the bigger picture, it is also noteworthy to look at the simple and daily habits that may be secretly bringing oral health issues to your gums or teeth. In this article, we will look into 7 daily habits that secretly damage your teeth, and how you can avoid them.

7 daily habits that damage teeth

Maintaining oral becomes easier when we start to focus on everyday habits that can result in making or breaking your teeth. 

Overbrushing/brushing too hard

Brushing two times a day is the ultimate mantra for good oral hygiene. But if you do it in any reckless manner it is going to do more harm than good to your teeth. Overbrushing, brushing aggressively, or not brushing enough can all result in increased sensitivity, sore gum, or enamel warning. So brush your teeth gently and only twice a day.

Using teeth as a tool

It is almost instinct that we start using our teeth to open a tough packet of chips or a tight bottle of soda. This habit can lead to severe damage to your teeth resulting in chipped or cracked teeth. 

Teeth Grinding/ Bruxism  

Jaw clenching/teeth grinding also known as Bruxism is the unconscious or conscious grinding of teeth together. Some do it in sleep, and some in anger or irritation. Bruxism can result in damaged tooth enamel, chipping or cracking of teeth along with pain in the jaw, ears, and neck. 

Frequent snacking 

Consuming food at a frequent number of times is good for the metabolism but can result in teeth damage if you do not rinse after eating. After frequent meals, the food may stick in your tooth cavity and require a rinse every time you eat. 

Excessive tea, coffee, soda 

Drinking beverages with caffeine, and acidic beverages can strip the teeth’s enamel making it more sensitive, prone to damage, and increasing the risk of tooth decay. 

Nail biting 

A common habit in many people, nail biting results in wrong alignments of teeth resulting in pain and exposing the mouth to foreign bacteria which are often harmful. Ill-positioned teeth can also lead to temporomandibular disorder (TMD), a dental health condition characterized by a painful jaw.

Not drinking enough water 

Drinking water also yields benefits to your oral health. Drinking water at regular intervals and after any staining or aerated drink helps rinse it down, keeping the enamel safe and preventing the food from getting stuck in a place. 

Staying mindful of these simple habits and their corrective measures can improve your oral health promising you healthier teeth for lasting years with fresh breath.