We all have daily habits we assume are harmless—or even beneficial. But what if some of these seemingly innocent actions are secretly sabotaging your health? From stifling sneezes to chewing gum, many practices we’ve normalized can lead to long-term damage. Let’s dive into the science-backed truth about these 7 harmful habits and uncover safer alternatives.
Common Bad Habits For Your Health
Stifling a Sneeze: Why Suppressing This Reflex is Risky
We’ve all been in situations where letting out a loud sneeze feels awkward—like in a quiet meeting or library. But holding in a sneeze can have serious consequences. When you stifle a sneeze, the pressure that normally exits through your nose and mouth gets trapped inside your body. This force can damage blood vessels in your eyes, nose, or eardrums, and in rare cases, even cause throat injuries or ruptured eardrums.
A study published in BMJ Case Reports highlights a case where a man tore his throat while pinching his nose during a sneeze. Instead of suppressing it, experts recommend sneezing into a tissue or your elbow to minimize germ spread safely.
Using Toothpicks: The Hidden Dangers to Your Dental Health
Toothpicks seem like a quick fix for removing food stuck between teeth, but they’re far from harmless. Dental health risks of toothpicks include gum damage, enamel erosion, and even broken toothpicks lodging in gums. Over time, aggressive picking can create gaps between teeth, making them prone to decay.
The American Dental Association advises using interdental brushes or water flossers instead. These tools clean tight spaces without risking injury. For persistent debris, schedule a dental checkup to address underlying issues like cavities or misaligned teeth.
Sleeping Face Down on Your Pillow: How It Harms Your Spine and Skin
Sleeping on your stomach might feel comfortable, but it’s a nightmare for your spine and skin. This position forces your neck into a twisted angle, straining muscles and misaligning vertebrae. Over time, it can lead to chronic neck and back pain. Additionally, pressing your face into a pillow nightly contributes to wrinkles and acne due to friction and trapped bacteria.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends side or back sleeping with a supportive pillow to maintain spinal alignment. Use silk or satin pillowcases to reduce skin irritation and wrinkles.
Shelling Seeds With Your Teeth: A Silent Threat to Dental Enamel
Cracking sunflower or pumpkin seeds with your teeth is a common snacking habit, but it’s one of the worst practices for dental health. The constant pressure can chip teeth, wear down enamel, and even cause jaw pain from overuse.
Instead, opt for pre-shelled seeds or use a seed cracker. Your dentist will thank you!
Chewing on Ice or Hard Objects: The Quick Path to Cracked Teeth
Chewing on ice, pens, or hard candy might seem harmless, but it’s a leading cause of dental emergencies. The extreme force can fracture teeth, damage fillings, and irritate soft gum tissue. This habit, known as bruxism, often stems from stress or nutritional deficiencies.
The Mayo Clinic suggests switching to sugar-free gum or crunchy veggies like carrots to satisfy the urge to chew without risking your teeth.
Postponing Bathroom Breaks: How Holding It In Harms Your Body
Ignoring the urge to urinate or defecate might feel necessary during a busy workday, but delaying bathroom visits can weaken bladder muscles, increase UTI risks, and cause constipation. Over time, this habit may lead to long-term pelvic floor dysfunction.
Set regular reminders to use the bathroom, and stay hydrated to maintain healthy digestion.
Touching Your Face and Rubbing Your Eyes: Germs and Skin Damage Ahead
Touching your face and rubbing itchy eyes are subconscious habits for many, but they transfer bacteria from your hands to sensitive areas. This can trigger breakouts, eye infections like conjunctivitis, and even accelerate wrinkle formation due to skin pulling.
The CDC emphasizes washing hands frequently and using clean tissues or eye drops to address irritation safely.
Bonus Habit: Chewing Bubble Gum Often—More Than Just a Sugar Problem
While sugar-free gum can freshen breath, excessive gum chewing strains jaw joints (TMJ) and may cause headaches or bloating from swallowed air. Additionally, sugar-filled gum feeds cavity-causing bacteria.
Limit gum chewing to 10-15 minutes daily, and opt for xylitol-based products to protect teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can stifling a sneeze cause hearing loss?
A: Yes! Trapped pressure from a suppressed sneeze can damage the middle or inner ear, leading to temporary hearing issues.
Q: Are bamboo toothpicks safer than plastic ones?
A: No—both types risk gum injury. Stick to floss or interdental brushes.
Q: What’s the best sleeping position for back pain?
A: Back sleeping with a pillow under your knees reduces spinal pressure.
Conclusion
Breaking these 7 harmful habits might feel challenging at first, but your body will thank you in the long run. Replace sneeze suppression with tissue use, swap toothpicks for floss, and prioritize back sleeping—it’s time to embrace science-backed habits for better health!
Liked this article? Share it to help others ditch these dangerous habits!
