Keeping your teeth in sparklingly shiny condition is a lot of work – you brush, you floss, you use mouthwash, you never miss a check-up with your dentist, yet your teeth never seem to be in great condition. Why is that?
Below we list some of the bad things you do to your teeth day-to-day that can cause damage over time and are ensuring your perfect smile remains out of reach:
You Use the Wrong Toothbrush
Much like Goldilocks with her porridge, you need to choose a toothbrush that is just right – using a toothbrush that’s too hard can cause abrasion to your teeth and your gums to recede, while a soft toothbrush may not work as effectively as you need it to. Ask your dentist which is best for you on your next visit.
You Brush Too Forcefully
Even with the right brush in your repertoire you could still be damaging your teeth. Brushing forcefully isn’t the trick to clean teeth, all that’s needed to break down bacteria is a gentle circular whisking across your teeth.
You Bite Your Nails or Grind Your Teeth
Using extra bite force in order to bite your nails – whether through nerves or to trim them – only leads to a wearing down of the teeth and, sometimes, cause small chips. Grinding or clenching has a similar result as, by using excessive bite force again can result in wear-and-tear to your teeth as well as looseness and jaw pain.
You Chew Ice Cubes
It’s something everyone has done, but the next time you’re using your blender look at the sharp metal blades – think how long it takes them to cut through ice and the amount of power and energy being used. Your teeth aren’t that strong, so applying the amount of force it takes to chew through ice is in excess of what they’re designed to do.
You Use Your Teeth As Tools
Cutting through sellotape, taking a top off a bottle, tearing a loose thread off our clothing – all of them do damage to dull the sharpness of your teeth.
You Constantly Have Dry Mouth
Saliva is the hidden secret behind oral health and strong teeth as it helps to strengthen enamel and neutralise acidity from foods. As such, having a dry mouth means that your teeth are at risk from enamel erosion and cavities, so get drinking water!
You Consume Too Much Sugar
We’re as guilty as anyone for eating chocolate and fizzy drinks, so we don’t expect you to just give up eating and drinking them. Alas, they increase the risk of tooth decay and feed oral bacteria.
Making these few small changes to your eating habits and social tics can go a long way to helping your teeth remain strong and clean for years to come.
