At Marion Smile Center in Zelienople, PA, Cosmetic and General Dentist Dr. Mark Marion and Implant Specialist Dr. Melanie Quest have seen it all—cracked crowns, worn-down enamel, failing fillings, and implant mishaps. While some dental issues are unavoidable, many are directly caused by daily habits people don’t even realize are harmful. Drawing inspiration from real dentist advice (and adding a few of their own!), Drs. Marion and Quest are here to reveal the smile-wrecking behaviors they personally avoid and why you should too.
Below is our curated “Smile Sabotage Shortlist”—ranked with the most important dental tips first. Think of this as a guide to keeping your smile strong, bright, and beautiful for years to come.
❌ Smile Sabotage Shortlist
1. Chewing Ice, Hard Candy, or Pens
It might seem harmless, but chewing on ice, pen caps, or hard candy can cause tiny fractures in the enamel that can lead to major problems over time. These habits may even break a crown, veneer, or implant restoration. Dr. Marion has treated countless patients who didn’t realize their dental emergencies started with something as simple as chewing ice after a drink. Instead, satisfy the urge to chew with sugar-free gum (with Xylitol to help fight cavities) or chilled (but not frozen) fruit.
2. Using Teeth as Tools
Your teeth were designed to chew food—not open bags, pry off bottle caps, or tear through plastic packaging. When you use your teeth as tools, you put them at risk of chipping or cracking. Even more concerning, this kind of misuse can stress crowns or veneers, possibly dislodging them. Dr. Quest sees this far too often when patients come in thinking their implant has failed, when in fact the damage was preventable. Keep small scissors or a bottle opener nearby instead.
3. Nail Biting
Beyond being a bad habit, nail biting introduces bacteria into your mouth and can cause microtrauma to your front teeth. Over time, this habit can lead to enamel erosion and uneven wear. Constant pressure on your teeth, especially in a forward motion like biting nails, can also cause minor shifting in alignment. Dr. Marion often sees the damage in the form of small chips or even fractures. Instead, try a stress ball or keep your hands occupied with a fidget toy.
❌ Other Smile-Ruiners to Avoid
4. Skipping Daily Hygiene
Brushing twice a day and flossing once daily is the minimum standard for oral hygiene. Yet, many patients skip these steps due to busy schedules or forgetfulness. Over time, this neglect allows plaque to harden into tartar, which can only be removed professionally. Dr. Marion emphasizes that cavities and gum disease often start silently. Without consistent home care and at least biannual professional cleanings, what starts as a small cavity can progress into a root canal or tooth loss. Tools like floss picks, interproximal dental brushes, or water flossers can make daily hygiene easier and more effective.
5. Overdoing Acidic or Sugary Drinks
Sipping soda, energy drinks, citrus juices, and even flavored waters which are surprisingly as damaging as Sprite, throughout the day is one of the fastest ways to erode your enamel. Acid softens the enamel, and sugar feeds bacteria that produce even more acid. It takes 30 minutes after taking a sip of a sugary and/or acidic drink for your body to neutralize the acid and return the PH in your mouth to its normal level. So, if you are sipping throughout the day on acidic or sugary drinks, your teeth enamel is constantly being damaged. Dr. Marion recommends drinking acidic beverages at one time through a straw and swishing your mouth with water afterward. If you love fruit, stick to whole fruits over juices to minimize acid exposure.
6. Brushing Too Hard (or Too Soon After Eating)
Brushing with excessive force or using a toothbrush with hard bristles can wear away enamel and irritate your gums, leading to recession over time. Many people think harder brushing means a better clean—but it actually does more harm than good. Additionally, brushing immediately after consuming acidic foods or drinks (like citrus, coffee, wine, or soda) can wear down softened enamel. Instead of jumping straight to brushing, wait 30 minutes to allow your saliva to neutralize acids and re-harden your enamel. Dr. Marion and his 4 Dental Hygienists recommend using a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, circular motions for effective cleaning.
Pro Tip: Oral-B makes an electric toothbrush that alerts you when you’re brushing too hard—helping to protect your enamel and gums. Plus, its built-in circular oscillations mimic the professional technique, making proper brushing easier for everyone. At Marion Smile Center we strongly encourage our patients to use an electric smart toothbrush versus a manual one. Children and older adults typically do not have the dexterity to brush properly with a manual toothbrush.
7. Grinding or Clenching at Night
Nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) can silently wear down your enamel, flatten your molars, cause gum recession, and even crack restorations or implants. Many people don’t even realize they do it until symptoms like jaw tension, morning headaches, or tooth sensitivity show up. Dr. Marion’s Dental Assistants frequently take digital (goo-free) impressions and fabricate in our high-tech in-office lab nightguards — custom-made oral appliances that protect teeth while you sleep. They’re clear, discreet, comfortable, and incredibly effective at preserving your smile.
8. Mouth Breathing
Breathing through your mouth, especially at night, can dry out the saliva that naturally protects your teeth. Saliva helps wash away food particles and neutralize acids that cause decay. When your mouth is dry, bacteria thrive and cavities form more easily. But that’s not all—chronic mouth breathing can also impact the alignment of your teeth and jaw. In children, it can contribute to narrow arches, long facial growth, or even misaligned bites.
Pro Tips – How to Help Prevent Mouth Breathing:
- Address nasal blockages, allergies, or sinus issues with your primary care doctor or ENT.
- Try using nasal strips at night to encourage nose breathing.
- Maintain good posture and avoid sleeping on your back, which may encourage mouth breathing.
- Use a room humidifier to keep your airways from drying out.
- In children, early orthodontic evaluation may help correct airway or structural concerns before they lead to long-term issues.
- Consider mouth taping at night—a trending method that gently encourages nasal breathing while you sleep. While it isn’t for everyone, many patients have found it effective. Always consult with your Doctor or Dentist before starting to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your individual needs.
9. Smoking, Vaping, Tobacco Use
Smoking, vaping, and tobacco use are some of the most damaging habits for your oral and overall health. It stains your teeth, weakens your gums, slows healing, and significantly increases your risk for oral cancer. Oral cancer is on the rise and affecting younger and younger people. Even the best dental work can deteriorate more quickly in a smoker’s mouth. Dr. Marion and Dr. Quest encourage and support patients who are working to quit smoking, vaping, and tobacco use and offer guidance on ways to minimize its effects while working toward better habits.
🌟 Marion Smile Center’s Added Essentials
- Oral Cancer Screenings: Every patient receives a painless, in-office screening at their routine check-up. Early detection can be lifesaving. If you are in the high-risk group of developing life-threatening and disfiguring oral cancer, our Dentists will recommend the use of high-tech cancer detecting equipment. a Fluorescent Light, which helps them see beyond the surface to underlying deeper layers of tissue. Early detection saves lives and disfiguring surgeries.
- Sedation & Comfort Amenities: Dental anxiety? We offer nitrous oxide, warm neck pillows, cozy blankets, stress balls, and noise-canceling headphones to keep you calm and comfortable.
- Whiten for Charity: Our March – June annual campaign donates 100% of proceeds from teeth whitening to local causes in Zelienople and Harmony. Looking good and doing good go hand-in-hand!
Healthy Smiles Start with Healthy Habits
While not every dental issue can be avoided, many can be prevented with a few mindful changes. The “Smile Sabotage Shortlist” isn’t about perfection—it’s about protecting your investment in your oral health.
Let Dr. Mark Marion and Dr. Melanie Quest help you build healthier habits that lead to a stronger, brighter, and more confident smile. Whether you’re due for a cleaning, need a restoration, or are curious about implants, our compassionate team is ready to guide you every step of the way.
Call (724) 452-4300 or request your appointment online today!
