Dr. Nandini Nelivigi advice that: "Poor nutrition can affect your entire immune system, increasing your susceptibility to many disorders and infections, including periodontal disease.” Some of the habits that could damage your teeth:
1. Hot Drinks
People who often drink hot beverages usually have unhealthy teeth. Black tea and coffee contain tannins, which stain the teeth and lodge into the crevices and grooves of the tooth enamel. The tannins not only stain the surface of the tooth but also attract decay-causing bacteria.
It is better to consume hot drinks in moderation and add milk, which neutralizes the acids. Drinking more water also helps.
2. Not Flossing
Not many people know the importance of flossing teeth including those who brush religiously. "Flossing every day is one of the best things you can do to take care of your teeth. It's the single most important factor in preventing periodontal disease, which affects more than 50% of adults".
Flossing effectively removes the plaque and debris that sticks between the teeth and on the gums. Flossing also gives you a more attractive smile as it polishes the surface of the teeth and even prevents bad breath.
3. Untimely Brushing
We’ve always been taught to brush after meals, but that’s no longer the best times to brush. According to our doctors, "After consuming high-acid food or drinks, like wine, coffee, citrus fruits, and soft drinks, rinse with water to neutralize the acids, but wait an hour before reaching for the toothpaste.”
The doctor also says that brushing your teeth immediately after consuming acidic foods and carbonated drinks can cause erosion of teeth enamel.
4. Over-Enthusiastic Whitening
Bleach in the whitening agent is the culprit. The jury is still out on whether the bleach erodes tooth enamel, but it is unanimous in that excessive whitening increases teeth sensitivity.
Even home-whitening treatments should be exercised in moderation; some whitening gels and toothpaste contain abrasive substances that also increase sensitivity leading to pain.And some last words of caution: artificial whitening has its limits. So as you grow older, more whitening is not going to make your teeth any whiter or enhance your smile.
5. Soft DrinksSoft drinks thrive on sugar, which is always bad for teeth. Excessive sugar increases your chances of cavities, decayed teeth, and gum infections. And dark colas may stain your teeth, undermining your otherwise beautiful smile.
But how can one not drink soft drinks? So Dr. Nandini Nelivigi suggests drinking them through straws. She also recommends rinsing your mouth with water afterward and chewing sugarless gum to counteract the acids. Finally, you need to wait for at least an hour before brushing.
6. Acidic Food
Throughout this list, we have seen that acids are the main culprits that affect your teeth and consequently your smile. So beware of foods that contain acids.
“Although lemons, grapefruits, and citrus juices don’t directly cause cavities, like soft drinks, they contain acids, which cause erosion of the tooth enamel, weakening the tooth and making it prone to decay”.
But if you must have these foods, rinse your mouth with water afterward, chew sugarless gum and do not reach for your toothbrush immediately.
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