"HEALTHY TEETH AND GUMS FOR LIFE"

Teeth Mistakes You’re Making – Part 4

A man is brushing his teeth.

Welcome to the final part of our 4 part series on us, helping you, take better care of your teeth. It is our mission that by the end of this series you will change some of your bad habits when it comes to your teeth. It doesn’t have to happen over night but with the sole fact you’re more aware, you are more likely to change. Enjoy!

Teeth Mistakes #16 – Skimping on calcium and vitamin D

Minerals and vitamins are building blocks for bones and teeth, of course, but they’re also key to maintaining their strength and density as we age—and these two are bones’ strongest allies. According to the National Osteoporosis Foundation, adult women need 1,000-1,200 milligrams of calcium and 400-1,000 IU (international units) of vitamin D per day from food, sunlight (for vitamin D) and supplements. Consult your GP on your nutrient needs and be sure your teeth and bones are getting the support they need.

Teeth Mistakes #17 -Getting addicted to juicing

Everyone loves juicing these days, whether it’s homemade juice or a fancy bottled variety. But while they might be packed with vitamins and other nutrients, fresh juices also bathe your mouth in everything from corrosive acids (in ingredients like lemon juice) to megadoses of sugar (the high levels of fructose in many green juices aren’t doing your teeth any favors). If you can’t bid farewell to your brightly-bottled health promises, do your best to minimize their damage to your choppers: rinse with water after acidic juices, and be sure to brush your teeth after those fruity sugar bombs.

Teeth Mistakes #18 -Using a brush that’s too hard

Like wooden toothpicks, hard-bristled brushes are tough-looking instruments that tend to cause more problems than they solve. Effective as they might seem, harder bristles can erode your enamel. We only recommend soft or extra-soft toothbrushes. Research indicates that your gums will suffer from tough brushes as well: A 2011 study published in the Journal of Periodontology found that while hard-bristled toothbrushes removed plaque, they were also more likely than softer brushes to cause gingivitis and tissue damage. Ouch!

Teeth Mistakes #19 -Reaching for the wrong mouth rinse

There are as many ways to wash that gunk right out of your mouth as there are types of gunk to have in your mouth. “Cosmetic” rinses, for example, will merely control bad breath and leave you with a pleasant taste in your mouth. Therapeutic rinses with ingredients like antimicrobial agents and fluoride, on the other hand, can actually help reduce gingivitis, cavities, plaque, and bad breath. (Fluoride rinses aren’t recommended for children under 6, as they might swallow instead of spitting.)

Teeth Mistakes #20 -Drinking soda (yes, even the diet stuff)

Isn’t it enough to kick sugar to the curb and indulge in sodas without it? We won’t go so far as to say it’s as bad for your teeth as meth addiction, as a report (on one subject who drank two liters of soda per day and already had poor dental hygiene) did in 2013. But you should know that all acidic drinks—regular sodas, diet sodas, even sports drinks, according to a 2008 study—can cause tooth erosion. Does that mean giving them up once and for all? Indulging ourselves doesn’t always mean doing what’s best for your teeth, of course, but knowing how habits affect your body is the first step in being happy and healthy. We’ll raise a glass of (fluoridated) tap water to that.

There you have it. We have to admit that even we aren’t perfect and we make the same mistakes as everyone else. However, now that everyone is more aware we will be able to help you take better care of your teeth – outside our Hamilton dental office.

If you have any questions, give us a call or come see us!

Dr Christopher Sims
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