Really? 6 common habits that are bad for your teeth

Brushing your teeth straight after eating

You might think there’s never a bad time to brush your teeth. However, brushing right after finishing a meal, such as your breakfast is a classic mistake. If you brush straight after eating, the acid in your mouth gets brushed onto your teeth. You should wait around 30 minutes to allow saliva to neutralise the acid levels in the mouth caused by drinks and food.

Rinsing with water after brushing

Rinsing after you brush your teeth removes much of the fluoride in toothpaste that protects the teeth from cavities. Try to avoid rinsing and just spit out the excess toothpaste. If your reason for rinsing is because you don’t like the taste of the toothpaste, there are many flavoured tubes of toothpastes out there. But if you really can’t resist a rinse, be sure to use minimal water.

Biting your nails

It can be extremely hard to kick the habit of nail biting. It may not seem like a big deal but if you don’t stop, your teeth may suffer. Biting nails can result in chipped teeth. You may also notice tooth sensitivity or pain. In more severe cases, nail biting can put pressure on the jaw, causing clicking and popping.

Brushing too hard

Watch out for too much of a good thing. Over brushing or using bristles that are too firm can damage teeth, root surface and irritate the gums. If you brush too hard, you may wear down the enamel and expose the dentine. Always use a medium-soft bristled toothbrush.

Grinding teeth

Tooth grinding, medically known as Bruxism, is a usually a stress-related habit that happens unconsciously during sleep. Long-term grinding or clenching can take its toll on your teeth, even if you don’t notice any discomfort. When bruxism is not treated, stress fractures can occur over time. You may not know you grind your teeth, but clear signs include tooth sensitivity, sore jaw, headaches and unexplained chips in teeth.

Smoking

Everyone knows smoking is terrible for your overall health, but it can also cause tooth discolouration and gum disease. Smoking isn’t just a bad habit. It’s an addiction that affects your whole body. Pure Smiles offers smoking cessation services for those who are finding it difficult to quit smoking. If you can’t give it up (or don’t want to) then it is even more important to ensure you visit the dentist and hygienist more frequently so your teeth and gums can be cared for and protected against the ravages of nicotine.

The Pure Smiles team is always here to help anyone who is having problems with their teeth. Our dentists are exceptional at what they do and we offer an efficient service. We’re based at 257 New Kings Road, SW6 4RB and 750a Fulham Road, SW6 5SH.