Some things we do every day just might be hurting our teeth. What are these habits, and how can you avoid them?
Your smile is one of the first things that people notice. However, there are lots of things that you may be doing that ruin your teeth, causing problems when smiling, talking, eating and even sleeping. Here are some damaging things we might be doing daily to our teeth — and how to protect them:
Go Easy on Brushing
As with many things in life, too much of anything is not always good. This applies to brushing teeth as well. Brushing too much or too hard tends to weaken our teeth’s enamel and may even cause receding gums.
The good news: Pat yourself on the back — the fact that you want to brush so often means you really care about your teeth! Instead of brushing excessively, try using “nature’s toothbrush”. These are crunchy vegetables like carrots and celery, which can help scrape extra food particles off your teeth.
Gulp Down Those Sodas and Juices (the Right Way)
Drinking soda and juices actually causes a lot of damage to teeth by weakening the enamel due to their acidity. This can cause decay along the gums — which is made worse if you drink slowly. That’s right! Sipping these drinks sluggishly is a no-no, as it lengthens the duration they are in touch with your teeth.
The good news: A simple straw will solve your problems, as the liquid will bypass your teeth.
Ice, Ice Baby
While ice may be sugar-free and natural, it is anything but harmless if chewed. Crunching on frozen cubes can crack or chip teeth. What is more, chewing ice irritates the inner tissue of teeth, resulting in toothaches.
Hence why cold foods like ice kachang or shaved ice, popular across Asia, may be nice to eat on hot and muggy days but often trigger sharp, quick pain jabs or even lingering toothaches.
The good news: It’s easy to swap from chewing ice to chewing something that will actually help your teeth. If you really need to chew on something besides your thoughts, try chewing on some sugarless gum instead — this will stimulate saliva and help clear away food particles that can cause decay! The best news of all is that there is something you can do every day that will strengthen your teeth. Nothing makes our teeth feel more weak or vulnerable than sensitivity to hot and cold food we enjoy every day, right?
Luckily brushing teeth daily, using specially formulated toothpaste like Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief, will help provide lasting relief from sensitivity. This way, you can still bite into life (and your favorite dishes) without hesitation.
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This article is intended to promote understanding of and knowledge about general oral health topics. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.
