1. Don’t Overbrush
A lot of people think that if they brush their teeth after every meal that they will prevent all possible problems with their teeth. I have to tell you that that’s not true at all. In fact, brushing your teeth too often can actually damage them.
When I was a kid, we were taught to brush our teeth two times a day – in the morning and in the evening. As the years passed by, I’ve started hearing more and more people telling me how it is necessary to brush one’s teeth after every meal. Naturally, you start wondering who the hell is right. So, I dived into this matter deeper and here’s what I found out.
Brushing your teeth after every meal brings more harm than good. That’s it. Yes, you will potentially get rid of all food leftovers that can cause cavities, but the brushing itself is too damaging for your teeth. Your teeth are protected by natural enamel, which is not that easy to damage but can’t really put up with just anything. The toothbrush and some of the ingredients from the toothpaste damage the enamel.
The conclusion is that you should not brush your teeth with too much force or too often. Twice a day will do just fine. Of course, if you’re feeling uncomfortable because of something you ate, you can brush your teeth after the meal, just don’t make this a regular thing. A breath mint or a gum will do just fine and they don’t damage your teeth as much.
2. Stay Away From too Hot or too Cold
You’ve probably heard this from your mother – you should never drink a cold beverage after eating a hot soup. You should also never expose your teeth to anything too hot or too cold, even if you’re not going to mix the two together.
Your teeth are brittle and exposing them to any kind of extreme temperature can really damage them. Extreme temperatures can cause small cracks in your teeth. The teeth get weaker and are more prone to cavities and brakes. This of course does not mean that you should never eat ice cream again, but it does mean that chewing on ice is a bad idea.
You may not feel any discomfort while doing this now, but remember that as you get older your whole body gets weaker, as do your teeth. Protect them now in order to be able to keep them longer.
3. Lower the Amount of Sour Food
Acid damages your teeth, we all know that. Anything sour has some kind of acid in it, so avoid sour food if you want to protect your teeth.
Did you know that four cheese pasta is better for your teeth than tomato sauce pasta? It’s not better for your weight though, so don’t start ordering it every time. The acid from a tomato is harmful to your teeth, while the lactose and, of course, the calcium from the cheese are very beneficial for them.
You don’t need to stop eating sour food completely, but whenever you do, at least drink a glass of water afterwards, to rinse the teeth. It is a great idea to have a glass of milk after you’ve eaten something sour, because you protect the teeth that way.
4. Choose Your Toothpaste Wisely
People usually buy toothpaste either because they’ve heard of the company that makes it or because they like the flavor. Do your teeth a favor and next time read the label on the package.
A lot of toothpastes contain peroxide, especially those that are supposed to be whitening. Although peroxide actually does whiten your teeth, it also damages both your teeth and your gums. This doesn’t happen as a rule, some people are more sensitive to peroxide than others, but I would still not suggest using it. It’s best to ask your dentist for an advice and choose a toothpaste that suits you best.
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