7 Things That Are Ruining Your Smile

We all want the perfect smile, one that we can be proud of, but often, our habits are damaging our smile, causing more harm than we realise. Little things, like forgetting to floss or trying to whiten your teeth at home, can lead to long-term damage and even ruin the smile you have worked so hard to achieve. But what are these things that could be ruining your smile? We are here to tell you! Today, we walk you through 7 surprising things that could be ruining your smile. 

1. Brushing too Harshly 

Brushing your teeth too harshly can erode your enamel, causing cavities and discolouration. To prevent this and damage to your smile, opt for a toothbrush with soft bristles. Brush your teeth in a circular motion, avoiding hard scrubbing. You can also use an electric toothbrush, which many models show when you are brushing too hard to prevent it. 

2. Mixing Hot and Cold Food and Drink

Enjoying a hot meal and drinking a cold drink at the same time may seem normal, but it could actually be damaging your teeth. When your teeth come into contact with hot food or liquid, the enamel expands. When the expanded enamel is exposed to cold food or drink, you can be prone to cracks in your teeth, leaving you with damage that you will need to repair. 

To avoid this, you can eat hot foods with a fork, stopping them from touching the front of your teeth. Instead, you will use your back molars to chew, helping to minimise the chance of any damage to the front of your teeth. You should also drink cold drinks through a straw to prevent the liquid from touching your teeth. 

3. Using the Wrong Toothpaste

Toothpaste is an essential part of maintaining your smile, and choosing the wrong one can damage your teeth. Some toothpastes are too abrasive for your teeth and can damage them, while others won’t contain any or enough fluoride to help give your teeth the protection they need. Without fluoride, your enamel can be damaged or weakened, ruining your smile. Make sure you research the toothpaste you are using and check carefully that it contains safe ingredients and the right amount of fluoride. You can also speak to your dentist for recommendations, especially if you have sensitive teeth. 

4. Using Your Teeth as Tools

We are all guilty of using our teeth to open bottles, hold tape, or even act as a third hand from time to time. While it can be time-saving in the moment, it could be damaging your teeth! Using your teeth as tools can lead to microfractures and cracks, making your teeth loose or more likely to break! You might also loosen any fillings, too, requiring more dental work to repair. As convenient as it can be, avoid using your teeth for anything other than eating. 

5. Using DIY Whitening Kits

Professionally whitening your teeth can be expensive, and many will turn to at-home or DIY kits to achieve a brighter smile, but this isn’t always the best option. At-home whitening kits can be unsafe and ineffective, with unsafe levels of bleach or chemicals that won’t change your smile or benefit your teeth. Using these kits regularly can degrade your teeth’s structure and increase tooth sensitivity, leaving you with lifelong effects. 

Instead of using at-home treatments, you should speak to your dentist about the best way to brighten your smile. They can recommend the right shade for your smile and tailor a treatment plan to help you create your dream smile. 

6. Not Neutralising Your Teeth

After you have consumed foods with a high acidity level, you should neutralise your teeth to prevent the food from wearing away your teeth’s enamel. Consuming foods and drinks with high acidity can damage your teeth and make you more sensitive to hot and cold drinks. This typically happens when consuming:

• Diet soda
• Lemon, lime, and orange
• Sports drinks 
• Sour gummy lollies
• White wine 

To prevent this, avoid consuming these foods and drinks whenever possible. After you have consumed them, swish water in your mouth to help neutralise the effects. You can also drink your high-acidity beverages through a straw to reduce their contact with your tooth enamel. 

7. Forgetting to Floss 

Forgetting to floss is common, but it can damage your smile. Flossing is one of the most critical steps in oral hygiene, helping remove bacteria and food particles between your teeth. Floss reaches those hard-to-reach areas and small gaps that a toothbrush can’t, and should be done twice a day after brushing. 

Forgetting to floss can allow bacteria and food to build up between your teeth, leading to deep-seated decay on the inner surfaces of your teeth. This can be very difficult (and expensive) to treat. In severe cases, you might need teeth removed, which can affect your overall smile. 

Find Your New Dentist to Achieve the Perfect Smile 

By avoiding these 7 things and making some easy adjustments, you can keep your smile healthy and damage-free. Regular dental appointments will also help you maintain your perfect smile. Dental experts, like those at Gorgeous Smiles, can help you keep your smile healthy and make adjustments to create the perfect smile. Contact Gorgeous Smiles dental clinic to see how they can help you.