4 Surprising Ways You Could Be Ruining Your Pearly Whites

9 December 2015
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

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Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you, so it is crucial that you take the necessary steps to keep it white and sparkling. Here are a few bad habits that may be ruining your teeth, gums and overall smile without you even realizing it:

1. Consuming Too Many Sports and Energy Drinks.

While sports drinks are full of electrolytes that you need to replenish your body after you've been sick or during a competition, the truth of the matter is that they aren't good for your teeth. These types of drinks are extremely acidic, which causes damage to tooth enamel and leads to tooth decay and loss. Research shows that energy drinks are twice as worse for your teeth as sports drinks. With as much as 62 percent of the teen population in America drinking these sports and energy drinks every day, it is imperative that the word gets out that these drinks are bad for the teeth.

2. Trying to Multi-Task While Brushing.

Sure, you may running a little late for work, but you do not need to try to brush your teeth while doing something else. It is tempting to take that toothbrush into the shower with you, but how close of attention are you actually paying to what you're doing with that brush in your mouth? More than likely, you'll barely even cover your teeth if you take this route, which means you're leaving cavity-causing bacteria in your mouth. You are better off taking just a couple of extra minutes to brush your teeth the right way, over the sink with zero distractions.

3. Drinking Bottled Water Instead of Tap Water.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bottled water does not contain a sufficient amount of a necessary mineral that your teeth need: fluoride. It may taste better than tap water, but you're putting your teeth at risk by opting for taste over oral hygiene. If you prefer bottled water over tap water, do your research to find a company that produces bottled water with fluoride.

4. Storing Your Wet Toothbrush in an Enclosed Case.

Although it is important that you store your brush in a sanitary place before putting it in your luggage for a vacation or business trip, you will want to make sure that your toothbrush is dry before placing it in the case. Alternatively, if this is not possible, you need to immediately take it out of the case once you arrive at your destination for it to air dry. Otherwise, you are promoting the growth of bacteria because of the moist, humid environment.

If you are doing these things, then you are prematurely ruining your teeth. You will be more likely to suffer tooth decay, tooth loss and possibly even gum disease. You may need to visit a cosmetic dentist for root canals, crowns or dental implants. Make the decision to stop doing the above mistakes that could be ruining your teeth and choose to save them instead.