New Year, New Smile: 5 Bad Habits to Break for Better Oral Health

The start of a new year often signals the time to think about changes you want to make, including the elimination of bad habits and implementation of new healthy ones. 

If you’ve created wellness resolutions for 2026, our team led by Lynn M. Andreacola, DMD, at Andreacola Family Dentistry hopes that you add oral health care to that list. Oral health impacts your overall well-being, so it’s important to prioritize caring for your teeth and gums. 

While you may already know that drinking lots of sugary beverages is bad for your teeth, there are other habits that could be wrecking your oral health without you realizing it. Because of that, we’re reviewing five habits you need to break for better oral health in 2026 in this month’s blog. 

1. Biting your nails

If you need more reasons to stop the anxious habit of biting your nails, know that doing so can damage your teeth and jaw. When you bite your nails, you keep your jaw in a protruded position, which can lead to jaw dysfunction. Nail biting puts your teeth at risk for chips, too. 

We recommend trying some tricks to curb your nail biting, such as putting on bitter-tasting nail polish and practicing stress reduction techniques. If stressful situations trigger the habit, find ways to keep your hands busy. 

2. Brushing too hard

Brushing your teeth and gums is vital to lifelong optimal oral health, but there is such a thing as brushing too hard. If you brush too vigorously, you can damage your teeth and irritate your gums.

Make sure you use a soft-bristled toothbrush and think about massaging your teeth in wide strokes rather than scrubbing. 

3. Chewing on ice

Chomping down on ice after finishing a refreshing beverage might seem harmless, especially since ice is sugar-free and made of water. However, ice is a crystal, and so is your tooth enamel. When two crystals come into contact, one of them will break. While ice is usually what breaks, it could be your teeth one of those times. 

To eliminate the risk of chipping or breaking a tooth on ice, opt for chewing sugarless gum instead. 

4. Clenching and grinding your teeth 

Also known as bruxism, teeth clenching and grinding is typically a subconscious habit. You may even be doing it solely at night. However, if you often have tooth and jaw pain, headaches, facial tenderness, and limited jaw mobility, bruxism could be to blame. 

Clenching and grinding are often triggered by stress, so finding some relaxation techniques can help lower habit frequency. Wearing a nighttime mouth guard can also help reduce any damage done while you’re sleeping. 

5. Skipping annual cleanings

Even if you take great care of your teeth and gums regularly, not getting your teeth professionally cleaned every 6-12 months puts you at risk for tooth decay and gum disease. 

When our team looks at your teeth and uses our medical-grade tools to clean your teeth, we get rid of bacteria-laden plaque and tartar that builds up in hard-to-see and hard-to-reach areas. This prevents damage to your enamel and gums. 

It’s a new year, and it’s time to schedule your next dental cleaning. Simply call our office in Marlton, New Jersey, or use our online booking today to follow through with your commitment to your smile.