While it’s true that your teeth can be powerful tools when it comes to chewing food, there’s not much else they should be used for.

We know that it can be easy to fall into bad habits like using your teeth to open a bag of chips, but truthfully using your teeth for anything other than eating can be damaging.

Some issues that can arise from using your teeth to tear a bag, crunch on hard things (including nut shells and popcorn kernels!), or even just to hold an object are cracks and chips in your teeth, malocclusion (poor jaw alignment), unevenly worn down teeth and Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD).

In some cases, restorative dental work may be required. This can include braces or Invisalign, bridges, crowns and fillings.

Biting your nails can also cause chips and breaks in the front teeth, resulting in aesthetic concerns. We recommend you be mindful about how you use your teeth throughout the day, and in instances where you want to use your teeth as a tool, opt for using an actual tool instead.

Schedule an appointment at our St. Vital and Garden City locations today.