1. Smoking: It’s no surprise that the area that has direct contact with a burning cigarette is greatly affected by smoking. Besides the increased risk of developing cancers of the tongue, throat, gums and lips, cigarettes can also stain your teeth, cause bad breath, and lead to plaque build-up.

2. Using Your Teeth as a Swiss Army Knife:Under no circumstances should you be using your teeth for anything other than chewing food. It might be easier to rip open that package of frozen blueberries with your teeth than to find a handy pair of scissors, but your teeth will reward you for that extra effort by not chipping or cracking.

3. Drinking Coffee & Sugary Drinks: The acids in coffee, tea, and cola get into the enamel of your teeth and cause staining. To help prevent coffee and cola stains, try cutting back on the amount you drink and use a straw. It is also recommended to brush frequently and to use whitening gel to brighten your smile.

4.Grinding Your Teeth: Also known as Bruxism, teeth grinding can lead to serious problems if not treated. Grinding your teeth at night while you’re sleeping can be caused by excessive stress, a sleep disorder, or misaligned teeth. In order to prevent your teeth from wearing down to the gum, ask your dentist about fitting you with a mouth guard while seeking treatment for the underlying cause of your bruxism.

5. Hard Toothbrush: Even if you know how to properly brush your teeth, you could still be doing a lot of damage if your toothbrush isn’t right. Although toothpaste provides your teeth and mouth with many benefits, it’s actually your toothbrush that’s doing most of the work. Make sure that you aren’t wearing down your precious gum line, which hard toothbrushes are prone to do. If you’re a naturally hard brusher, try using a soft toothbrush.

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Sources: http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/smoking-oral-health http://www.webmd.com/oral-health/guide/teeth-grinding-bruxism http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/cosmetic-dentistry/teeth-whitening/article/how-does-coffee-stain-teeth-0213