"From bright smiles to frozen expressions, these little daily actions are the culprits!"

Author: Zhang Yuxiao, School of Stomatology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Postgraduate Science Lecture Team of the School of Stomatology, Huazhong University

Photo: Liu Chao, Jianghan University School of Medicine

Instructors: Yang Shengli, Wuhan Union Hospital; Li Qilin, Department of Stomatology, Wuhan Tongji Hospital

When we were young, our smiles were always innocent, and our pure and natural smiles always infected the people around us. However, as we grow older, many people find that their smiles are no longer so natural. When taking photos, they start to not know how to smile and dare not laugh out loud. The "lack of confidence" in smiling has become a problem for many adults.

This unnatural smile is often caused by malocclusion. Perhaps you don’t even realize that some bad biting habits in daily life are quietly changing your teeth alignment and even affecting your facial appearance, which eventually makes you less confident in front of the camera and your smile no longer natural. So what are the “culprits” that cause all this?

Uncovering bad habits: How many do you have?

Biting fingers and pencils

Biting fingers and gnawing pencils may seem harmless, but over time they can cause the front teeth to gradually protrude, the dental arch to become narrow, and eventually form "buck teeth". Data shows that nearly 30% of children have similar problems. If these habits continue into adulthood, it will be more difficult to correct them.

Mouth breathing

Long-term mouth breathing will not only cause the face to become longer and the chin to recede, but may also cause problems with uneven teeth. Sleeping with your mouth open will put the mandible in an abnormal state of tension for a long time, eventually changing the face shape.

Tongue against teeth

Incorrect tongue position and thrust will quietly affect the alignment of teeth, causing the dental arch to deform or the gaps between teeth to widen. The power of the tongue is like an invisible "push hand", which can gradually make the alignment of teeth out of control over a long period of time.

One-sided chewing

Unilateral chewing will cause uneven development of cheek muscles on both sides, eventually forming an asymmetrical face. These habits not only affect the alignment of teeth, but may also make the smile look stiff and unnatural.

Although these bad habits may not be noticeable, their long-term cumulative impact may change your entire face and even your quality of life. Take a look at how many of them you have, and correct them in time to protect your beautiful and healthy smile!

Smile Rescue Project: How to turn things around?

Correct bad habits

The key is to get rid of bad habits such as biting your fingers and breathing through your mouth. You can carry a stress ball with you instead of biting your fingers, or improve your mouth breathing through nasal breathing training. At the same time, develop the habit of chewing alternately on both sides to avoid facial asymmetry caused by unilateral chewing.

Early detection and early correction

Early correction is crucial for children and adolescents. They are in the growth and development stage, and their jaws and teeth are still very plastic. Parents should take their children for regular oral examinations. Wearing functional orthodontic appliances can guide the teeth and jaws to develop to the correct position and correct malocclusion.

For adults, although the time and difficulty of correction may be slightly higher than that of children, modern orthodontic technology is already very advanced, providing adults with a variety of beautiful and comfortable options. For example, invisible braces are becoming more and more popular among adults because they are transparent and do not affect daily life. For serious jaw development problems, such as chin retraction or deviation, orthognathic surgery is a more effective option, which can fundamentally improve the jaw structure and occlusion relationship, and reshape the facial proportions and functions. Through professional treatment, adults can also greatly improve their appearance and self-confidence, while restoring the healthy function of their teeth.

Diagram of orthognathic surgery

Don't let these bad habits steal your child's smile! Parents should pay special attention to their children's daily behavior from today on, and promptly correct habits such as biting fingers, mouth breathing, and unilateral chewing. Early detection and early intervention can nip possible facial and dental problems in the bud, allowing children to maintain a confident smile and show their best self! Take action quickly, pay more attention to your children's future, and protect them more!