We can be pretty tough on our teeth – slurping coffee, crunching boiled sweets, or chomping
away on hard foods – meaning we stain, chip, or break them from time to time. While
sometimes the damage is obvious, there are likely dental mistakes you’re making on a daily
basis. Without knowing it, these mistakes can add up over the years leaving you with gum
recession, bad breath, or worse. Here are 5 ways to spot if you’re being too harsh on your
teeth and how to make simple changes:
# 1: Brushing too hard
While we certainly appreciate your enthusiasm, harder isn’t better when it comes to
brushing your teeth because the plaque you’re trying to remove is actually soft. The reality is
that by scrubbing and sawing at your teeth, you run the risk of stripping enamel and
harming your gums. What’s more, because you have less control over where the bristles go,
you might not be cleaning your teeth very thoroughly either. So go easy on the pressure, use
a soft toothbrush, and brush in a gentle circular motion – trust us, your teeth will thank you
for a more delicate approach.
# 2: Brushing at the wrong time
You were likely taught to brush after every meal…but actually, it’s a little more complicated
than that. Brushing your teeth straight after eating or drinking anything acidic actually does
more damage than good. How? Foods that are acidic weaken tooth enamel for around 30
minutes after you’ve eaten – so brushing within that time frame actually strips away enamel
and leaves you more susceptible to cavities. If you need to freshen up immediately, try
rinsing with water or popping in a chewing gum. But as soon 30 minutes have passed, you’re
free to brush away!
# 3: Not replacing your toothbrush
It would seem that most people don’t consider replacing their toothbrush until it starts to
fall apart – and the statistics tell us that 1 in 5 of you can’t even remember when you last
changed your toothbrush… But using an old worn toothbrush means you won’t be cleaning
your mouth thoroughly as the bristles lose their strength and stop removing plaque
effectively. We’d recommend buying a multi pack, so you’ve always got a spare at the ready.
# 4: Ignoring pain
Pain is usually a sign there is something wrong and shouldn’t be ignored. While you may be
able to soothe your discomfort with painkillers, you should still visit your dentist and have
the underlying cause checked out. Leaving the problem to fester is not your best option and
can lead to all sorts of unwanted dental dramas. In short, the sooner you make the
appointment, the easier it will be for us to fix.
# 5: Stop forgetting about your tongue
Your tongue also suffers a lot from what we choose to eat and drink – after all it’s right there
with your teeth on the front line when it comes to the battle of the bacteria. But despite
this, many people still forget to show it the TLC it deserves. So don’t leave it out, make sure
you regularly give your tongue a good old clean with a tongue scraper – it helps to prevent
stinky breath and leaves your mouth feeling fresher.
Are you making any of these 5 mistakes? For more tips and tricks on how best to look after
your dental health, arrange a visit to our hygienist Fiona.
Call us today on 0116 251 9647.
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