When it comes to maintaining great oral health, it’s important to lead healthy lifestyles and make healthy choices. From eating to drink to oral health routines, everything we do can have an impact on our bright white smiles and tooth health.
As a Toronto dentist, I always recommend and encourage healthy habits that promote oral health. This includes brushing, flossing, regular dental check-ups and watching what you consume. But many of my Toronto patients are often surprised to learn that some of their “healthy” habits could be damaging their oral health, teeth, gums and beautiful smile.
Let’s take a closer look at some habits that are often said to be healthy, but could have a long-lasting, negative impact on your oral health.
1. Brushing Immediately After You Eat
As your Toronto dentist, I always recommend that brushing twice a day is an important part of keeping your gums, teeth and oral health strong. But did you know that brushing immediately after a meal can actual have adverse affects on your teeth and gums?
It has been found that brushing too soon after eating or drinking can actually harm your oral health. This is even more pronounced when you’re eating or drinking items high in acid or crunchy food that may be scratching your enamel.
Why is this? Acidic food can actually erode your enamel. Brushing immediately after can actually push the acid deeper into the enamel, which may cause even more damage.
What can you do? If you’re brushing immediately after eating or drinking, I know your taking your oral health seriously. This is a great sign. However, be sure to wait at least 30-60 minutes after eating or drinking to start brushing. Give your mouth time to naturally remove some of the acidity and particles before brushing. This will help you avoid those nasty, negative affects.
2. Drinking Fruit Smoothies by the Boatload
Drinking fruit smoothies has become a very popular habit for many healthy people. There are many benefits to consuming fruits and vegetables on a daily basis.
But if you’re a regular smoothie drinker, especially store bought smoothies, you’re basically coating your mouth, teeth and gums in liquid sugar. This can have a significant impact on your overall oral health.
Don’t stop your smoothie habit! I recommend making your own at home so you can control the extra sugar added. As your Toronto dentist, I would also recommend that you should get in the habit of drinking water right after your smoothie to remove some of that sugar.
Other ways to avoid the sugar’s damage to your teeth? Drink it through a straw. This helps the sugar and acid bypass the teeth. This helps limit the amount of sugar and plaque build up on your beautiful, white smile.
You may even want to consider brushing your teeth after your morning smoothie. Just be sure it’s 30-60 minutes after!
3. Enjoying Your Wine
We’ve all heard that having a glass of while a day can deliver great benefits for your cardiovascular health and can even slow aging. However, what that wine is not helping you with is your oral health!
We’ve all see the dental commercials that show how red wine can stain the teeth. But did you know that both red AND white wine can actually stain your pearly whites?
Both your favourite red and white wine actually contain acid. This can eat away at your tooth enamel, causing significant damage. This can leave your teeth vulnerable to decay.
Need to have that wine to unwind? Remember to have some water after enjoying it. This can help lessen the effects. As your Toronto dentist, I also recommend that if you’re drinking wine in the evening, make sure you brush before bed.
The Bottom Line
Your oral health is important. I always recommend understanding the impacts certain habits can have on your teeth, gums and oral health.
Next Steps
If you have questions about how you can improve your oral health, visit my website and schedule a consultation OR drop by my Davisville dental office! We can sit down to discuss your how to help you have a whiter, brighter and healthier smile.
And don’t forget to follow me on Facebook, Google Plus and Twitter for the latest dental tips, tricks and advice! Can’t wait to see you!