A dentist has revealed the everyday habits that could be quietly destroying your teeth.

And Dr Mark Burhenne says there’s one common mistake almost everyone admits to making that could cause serious lasting damage.

The US family dentist and creator of the hugely popular Ask the Dentist social media series, has shared a list of things he says he would never do if he wanted to keep his teeth, and his overall health, for life.

But his biggest warning is to never use your teeth to open anything – ever.

‘I’d never open bottles, packages, or tags with my teeth,’ he said in his latest video.

‘You might not break a tooth that time, but the tooth could be irreparably damaged, turn grey, and cause a lifetime of dental work. I’ve seen it far too often.’

According to Dr Burhenne, the temptation to use your teeth as a tool – whether it’s to rip open a chip packet, tug off a tag, or twist open a bottle cap – can cause microfractures that weaken enamel and lead to long-term trauma.

The damage might not be visible right away, but it can surface months or even years later in the form of discolouration, sensitivity, or cracking.

His warning has struck a chord online, with many viewers confessing to being guilty of the naughty habit.

‘Wow, thank you so much for this advice!’ one wrote, while another, Dr Kelly McCann, added ‘The mouth truly is the gateway to the rest of the body – oral inflammation and microbial imbalance ripple through every system.

‘So valuable to see dentistry emphasising whole-body health.’

His post, which has already clocked up almost 200,000 views, also revealed several other surprising ‘don’ts’ for anyone who wants to avoid unnecessary dental drama.

Among them, he said he would never choose fluoride toothpaste over nano-hydroxyapatite, explaining that hydroxyapatite rebuilds enamel naturally and keeps our microbiome intact.

‘Fluoride works – but with a cost – and hydroxyapatite is scientifically proven to be just as effective, without the risks of fluoride, so this is a no brainer to me.’

He also urged people never to ignore snoring, calling it ‘sleep-disordered breathing’ rather than a harmless quirk.

‘It’s not funny, and it ain’t cute,’ he said. ‘That means inflammation, low oxygen, and increased risk for heart disease and Alzheimer’s.’

According to experts, mouth breathing during sleep doesn’t just make you wake up groggy, it dries out saliva, which plays a crucial role in protecting against tooth decay and gum disease. It can also reduce oxygen flow, which in turn affects energy levels and concentration.

And for those relying on trendy ‘biohacks’ to improve their sleep, Dr Burhenne issued a blunt reality check that there’s no cheating your body out of a bad sleep.

‘(It) doesn’t matter how many supplements, ice baths, or gadgets you use – if your airway collapses at night, you’re stuck in survival mode.’

For those who experience persistent snoring, dry mouth, teeth grinding or unexplained daytime fatigue, he urged them to seek advice from a GP or sleep specialist like himself.

Treatments can range from simple nasal training and mouth taping to dental devices, lifestyle changes or CPAP therapy (uses a machine to provide a continuous flow of air through a mask) for more serious conditions.

Another lesser-known tip was to avoid floss coated with PFAS, which are the same ‘forever chemicals’ found in non-stick cookware.

‘That slick coating? It’s the same chemical family as Teflon,’ Dr Burhenne warned.

Finally, he said that even minor damage like a chipped or cracked tooth should never be ignored.

‘Even without pain, bacteria slip into the dentin and pulp, leading to infection months or years later. Always get it checked.’

Dr Burhenne, who has been practising for more than 40 years, said he’s seen far too many patients deal with preventable problems that started with small, everyday habits.

‘Not just cavities, but trauma, sleep issues, and systemic health problems.’

His holistic approach to oral care has earned him millions of fans around the world who tune in for his straightforward, science-backed advice.