According to dentists, these are the 7 no-go’s for your teeth
It doesn't seem so difficult to take care of your teeth. Twice a day cleaning, occasionally flossing, visiting the dentist once every six months, and not eating too much sugar. Easy to say, easy to do. Yet there are still some professional secrets that dentists leave out but would never do to their own teeth. A case of ‘you need to know this to avoid coming back with cavities every time.’.
1. Never chew on ice
Those leftover ice cubes in your cola zero? Just leave them in the glass from now on. Biting on ice can not only break your teeth, the cold is also bad for your teeth, especially for people with fillings.
2. Avoid sticky candies
What else would you prefer to leave behind? Wine gums, gummy worms, and gummy bears. Unfortunately. They can get stuck in the grooves of your teeth and between your teeth, which can cause cavities. According to dentists, sour gummy candies are particularly the worst.
3. Stop biting your nails
We all knew that nail-biting is a habit you should leave behind in your teenage years, but that it's bad for your teeth is probably news to many. Biting your nails wears down the enamel on the edges of your teeth. And that layer of enamel is very important against cavities, erosion, infections, and sensitivity to cold, hot, or sweet foods.
4. Don't open packages with your teeth
Quickly opening a bag of chips or a bottle of water with your teeth seems so innocent, but according to dentists, it's not. It puts unnecessary stress on your teeth, which can lead to pain, broken or cracked teeth, root canals, or even teeth that need to be extracted. Doesn't sound very pleasant.
5. Don't drink too much alcohol
In general, a lower alcohol intake is not a bad idea for anyone, even if it's just for your teeth. Alcohol leads to a dry mouth and reduces saliva production. Saliva helps clean the mouth, protects the teeth, and neutralizes acids. So you guessed it: a decrease in saliva can be a cause of cavities.
6. Don't use a toothbrush with stiff bristles
You might think that a toothbrush with hard bristles cleans your teeth best from all plaque. Well, not really. It does more harm than you might initially think. Hard toothbrushes can be abrasive to the gums, but also to your teeth in general. So from now on, buy a soft brush, it also feels nicer. Win-win.
7. Never brush your teeth after vomiting
I get it: you want that sour taste out of your mouth as soon as possible. Instead of immediately brushing your teeth, it's better to rinse your mouth with some mouthwash and water. Stomach acid is so acidic that it can damage your enamel. Therefore, brushing is only safe after 30 to 60 minutes.
Source: huffpost.com
