Think You Know How To Take Care Of Your Teeth? See If You Have These Habits
A client was telling me last week about drinking a lot of sports drinks. "It can't be bad for me, right?"
Aside from the unnecessary expense and calories, I mentioned that the acid in those drinks can erode tooth enamel.
Here's what you should know to protect your teeth
First, the good habits.......
✅ The fundamentals are
brush twice a day
floss once a day
visit a dentist regularly for cleanings.
Flossing does more than reduce the risk of cavities and gum disease.
People who floss their teeth at least once a week have a 22% lower risk of clot-caused stroke and a 44% lower risk of a stroke caused by blood clots traveling from the heart.
A surprising discovery--flossers had a 12% lower risk of atrial fibrillation, an irregular heartbeat that increases risk of stroke.
✅ Brush gently with a soft brush
Brushing aggressively or using a hard-bristled toothbrush can wear away tooth enamel and cause gum recession.
I was an aggressive brusher until I got my electric toothbrush. It stops when I start to scrub too hard.
You're brushing too hard if your brush bristles are splayed when you brush.
Instead of using a death grip on the brush, holding it as you would a pen can reduce the pressure you use.
✅ Hold off on brushing after meals
Tooth enamel is temporarily softened by acids and sugars in the food you eat. Brushing immediately after meals can wear away the enamel.
Wait a half-hour or so to brush after a meal to give tooth enamel time to remineralize.
You can rinse your mouth with water after eating or drinking to neutralize acidity and clear away bacteria that cause cavities and bad breath.
Sugarless gum is a great alternative. Chewing xylitol-sweetened gum reduced the amount of bad bacteria in the mouth by up to 75%
Now, the bad habits....
❌ Drinking sports drinks, soda, and flavored coffee
Sugary foods and beverages encourage the growth of mouth bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Acidic foods and drinks erode tooth enamel, which can't be replaced.
Sports drinks, energy drinks, and soda are double trouble, typically high in both acid and sugar.
Flavored coffee drinks contain acids (from the coffee) and sugar (from the sweet additions).
The worst thing you can do is sip on these beverages for an extended period, keeping your teeth bathed in sugars and acids.
❌ Using toothpicks
When I was growing up, toothpicks were routinely found on kitchen and restaurant tables.
I haven't seen them in a long while, which is good because they can damage your gums, leading to gum abscesses and sensitive teeth.
Instead of toothpicks, dentists recommend interdental brushes, which may be more effective and cause less gum irritation than floss.
❌ Using charcoal-containing products
Charcoal-infused brushes and toothpastes whiten teeth by sanding away your tooth enamel, weakening your teeth, making them vulnerable to staining, cavities, and other problems.
❌ Using your teeth as pliers
It is SO tempting to use your teeth when your fingers can't do the job.
Don't!
Tooth enamel is strong but doesn't tolerate being bent or flexed.
There's a saying, “Ignore your teeth and they’ll go away.”
Your dental care goes beyond just your teeth.
It affects your health and wellbeing!