Five things you didn’t know you were doing wrong when looking after your teeth

By marvyb

For many people, the health and appearance of their teeth is of paramount importance. The quest for the perfect smile of pearly whites is one that many people embark on during their lives but is your daily brushing routine doing everything it can to help you in your endeavour? Or are you falling foul to the same common mistakes as everyone else?

Here we look at five things you probably do wrong when looking after your teeth.

1. Rinsing with water after brushing

Do you swill water around your mouth once you’ve finished brushing to remove any residual toothpaste? Well, this is actually advised against – according to a spokesman for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD).

The spokesman explained that if you resist the urge to rinse your mouth out after brushing then you allow the fluoride and other good properties of toothpaste to continue working for longer – building stronger teeth and a healthier mouth.

2. Using fluoride-free toothpaste

Many adults are worried about the toxicity of fluoride – especially for their children. While adult teeth can handle higher quantities of the substance than children’s teeth that is not to suggest that it should be eliminated entirely.

Fluoride is vital for the development of healthy teeth and for the protection of cavities so instead of opting for a toothpaste which is fluoride-free, simply limit the amount of paste you use when brushing your children’s teeth.

3. Drinking bottled water

Tap water is another good source of fluoride and a great way to help keep on top of your oral hygiene routine. By always drinking bottled water and encouraging kids to do so you could actually be depriving your mouth of vital fluoride. Opt for tap and give your teeth a fighting chance while protecting your bank balance!

4. Brushing directly before or after food

Although it is advised that you brush your teeth twice a day (one in the morning and once at night), heading to the bathroom immediately before or after eating is not advised. This is because your teeth can be more sensitive, making them more susceptible to damage.

Instead, wait a short period after eating before grabbing your toothbrush and avoid any food or beverages (especially hot drinks) for about 30 minutes after brushing is complete. You can always swill mouthwash or chew sugar-free gum in-between meals to give you that “just brushed” feeling after eating or drinking.

5. Avoiding cosmetic dentistry

Some problems with our teeth cannot be solved with brushing alone and that is where cosmetic dentistry can help. For those worried about the costs or risks, it is important to remember that there are plenty of options now available. Local options, such as a cosmetic dentist in Hampshire, are readily available with a range of payment plans to suit.

Suffering in silence should never be encouraged and if you’re unhappy with the appearance or condition of your teeth then cosmetic dentistry could be the perfect answer.

The post Five things you didn’t know you were doing wrong when looking after your teeth appeared first on Worldental.Org.

Source: http://worldental.org/oral-hygiene/five-things-didnt-know-wrong-looking-teeth/16689/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=five-things-didnt-know-wrong-looking-teeth

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