Can you handle the tooth?
Dr. Praveen Sharma, a UK-based dentist and scientific adviser to the British Dental Association, says many people practice four bad habits when it comes to their dental hygiene.
The first mistake, Sharma says, is using mouthwash straight after brushing, claiming it will “dilute the benefit of fluoride in your toothpaste.”
“After brushing, spit don’t rinse, or you’ll [also] dilute the benefit of fluoride,” Sharma told the Daily Mail in an interview on Saturday, saying people should wait a significant amount of time before reaching for the Listerine.
“Make sure to use at a different time to brushing,” he declared.
Fluoride helps rebuild weakened tooth enamel, prevent the growth of harmful oral bacteria and reverse early signs of tooth decay, according to Healthline. So without it, you’re risking the chance of gum disease or tooth decay.
Dr. Praveen Sharma, a UK-based dentist and scientific adviser to the British Dental Association, says many people practice four bad habits when it comes to their dental hygiene.
Sharma says the second mistake people make is brushing their teeth too quickly after eating. The medical expert suggests waiting at least 30 minutes before you clean your mouth.
“Leave a gap of between 30-60 minutes after eating or drinking before brushing your teeth, because the mouth needs a little time to clean itself and let the surfaces of the teeth reset,” he stated.
Rushing to clean your teeth can damage the enamel layer on your teeth, especially when consuming acidic food and drinks.
“You might think that ”diet’ soft drinks, fruit juices and smoothies are safe alternatives, but they aren’t,” the dentist declared. “There’s an acid component to many of them which attacks the surface of your teeth, raising the risk of erosion – wearing away the surface of the teeth – and tooth decay.”
Nearly 90% of adults ages 20 to 64 years have had tooth decay —when bacteria creates plaque over your teeth and damages the surface over time — explained the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
Meanwhile, Sharma says many people don’t use interdental brushes or dental floss — the third mistake.
He emphasizes the importance of using interdental brushes, which are small bristled heads that clean out any hidden food or plaque.
“Aim to clean the spaces in between your teeth [where there is space] with interdental brushes at least once a day,” he pleads. “It is advisable to do this before brushing. If the spaces between the teeth are too tight to insert a brush, use floss.”
The UK dentist also broke down the best method when using the small specialized brushes.
“When brushing, aim the bristles of the brush down towards the gum for the bottom teeth and up towards the gum for the top teeth at 45 degrees,” he continues. “This allows the bristles to go slightly below the gum line.”
He also wants people to brush in a circular motion instead of a “scrubbing motion,” which can prevent damage to the teeth and gums.
