Beware! These 4 Seemingly Healthy Habits Can Damage Your Smile
Keeping your teeth healthy does not seem to be a very difficult task – all you have to do is brush your teeth regularly and floss often. However, things may not be as simple as you might think because some seemingly healthy habits that improve your overall health may not be good for your pearly whites. Here are some:
Brushing after Each Meal Many dental experts say you should brush your teeth after each meal, and it helps keep your teeth healthy in most cases. However, you need to understand that regular brushing is important but so is your brushing timing. You are going to hurt your teeth if you brush after eating something acidic like tomatoes or oranges. The damage may be serious if you are used to brushing your teeth quite forcefully. Wait for at least half an hour after eating anything acidic to brush your teeth. Waiting this long is important because it gives your saliva a chance to lower the acidic of the oral environment.
Drinking Lemon Water Drinking lemon water has some amazing benefits, but, you need to understand that lemons are highly acidic, and anything acidic can damage tooth enamel, exposing your teeth to the bacterial onslaught. Moreover, brushing after drinking lemon water can increase your risk of tooth decay. Even when you dilute it with water, you are still raising the pH levels in your mouth which in turn, can increase the risk of erosion. Therefore, it is better to get your vitamin C dose from other foods or brush your teeth before you drink lemon water.
Taking Medications that Cause Dry Mouth You may have to take many medications to treat certain health conditions, but those medications come with a side effect of dry mouth. A dry mouth promotes the growth of odor-causing bacteria, which can cause serious damage to your teeth. Many medications like pain meds and antidepressants can reduce saliva flow and increase your risk of developing serious dental issues. In case you think your meds are causing a dry mouth, be sure to talk to your doctor and discuss it with your dentist as well to find a better treatment plan.
Exercising with No Dental Protection Exercising is good for your overall health, and there are no two ways around that. However, the thing is that not taking certain precautionary measures while exercising can increase your risk of developing dental health problems. Certain physical activities and sports, such as martial arts or ice hockey can cause irreversible damage to your teeth; therefore, wearing a mouth guard is of great importance. You should also bear in mind that intense exercise can make you feel dehydrated and affect the quality of your saliva, which in turn will increase your risk of experiencing tooth decay and other problems.
So, keep all these points in mind and educate yourself about what you should or should not do to keep your teeth healthy. When in doubt, be sure to talk to your dentist for advice.
