Many people are under the impression that if they brush their teeth twice a day, they will have a perfect smile for the rest of their lives. Or if they check out this dentist in Vienna or in New York, that’d be enough to keep their teeth healthy. If only that were true! If you dig deeper into the issue, you will soon realise that optimal mouth health is about so much more than what your toothbrush can offer.
Bad habits are all part of the human condition; we all have something we’d like to change about our daily behaviour. If you brush and floss your teeth religiously, but you’re still having issues with your smile, you could be unknowingly damaging your pearly whites in the following ways:
1. Snacking
Snacking is a tough habit to crack because some people are just natural foragers. The problem with snacking, besides the hidden calorie consumption, is that it produces less saliva than a full meal does. That can lead to food bits staying in your teeth for hours longer than usual.
The biggest culprits here are potato chips and crackers – the starch in these snacks is not doing your waistline or your teeth any favours!
2. Not Drinking Enough Water
Water is a great way to wash away residue that will otherwise cause stains on your teeth. Acids from food and plaque can damage the enamel on your teeth, so you need something to wash that away.
Have a glass of water after each meal; that will help dilute those acids and keep your smile looking its best. That is a great tip for healthy teeth.
3. Poor Dental Hygiene
Brushing your teeth should be your go-to move for keeping your teeth clean and sparkly. If you don’t brush correctly, however, you will do more harm to your teeth than good. Brushing your teeth too vigorously can wear down the enamel on your teeth and irritate your gums.
If you struggle with brushing too hard, a simple solution is to hold your toothbrush with only two fingers and your thumb – that way you shouldn’t be able to brush too hard. Consult your favorite dentist in Seattle for more brushing advice and schedule regular check-ups.
4. Energy Drinks
Soda and candy might be the obvious culprits when referring to added sugar, but that doesn’t mean that they are the only ones. With the stress of modern life and trying to keep up, you may be tempted to reach for an energy kick to give you a little boost.
They might seem harmless on the surface, but too many of them will wreak havoc on your body and your smile! Eliminate these from your diet if possible.
5. Chewing On Your Pen
We all have cute little quirks when we’re concentrating on a task, some of us stick our tongues out and others reach for a pen or pencil to chew on. That is a terrible habit that can easily lead to chipped or cracked teeth.
If you feel the need to chew on something, rather reach for a celery stick or some sugar-free gum. That will trigger the flow of saliva and help keep your teeth strong and your smile