Dr. Hanna Kinsella from Kiln Lane Dental advises against it. Here, the expert explains what is really behind it and what you should and shouldn’t do better.
Daily brushing of your teeth is essential to help keep your teeth and mouth clean and healthy. The main reason to scrub your teeth is to prevent plaque – a coating of bacteria that coats your teeth if you don’t brush them properly. A build-up of plaque causes gum disease and tooth decay.
Doing something every day doesn’t necessarily mean you do it well, however.
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Lots of people brush their teeth straight after eating, because they believe it’s important to get rid of the food from their teeth quickly.
Cosmetic dentist Dr Hanna Kinsella of Kiln Lane Dental told Express.
Anyway, as Dr Kinsella said, this can actually do more harm than good.
This is because brushing right after eating can harm the delicate tooth enamel.
Enamel is the substance that covers each tooth and provides a tough outer layer.
It is the first and most important line of defence against tooth decay.
According to the doctor, it’s better to wait at least half an hour after eating before brushing, especially after eating acidic foods.
This is because foods that contain citric acid can soften tooth enamel for a time, and brushing too soon after eating them will damage the enamel while it’s weak.
Another common trap is:
When using a manual toothbrush many people hold it tightly in their hand as if they’re making a fist around it.
The simple logic of this action is clear: this enables people to hold the brush firmly.
However, the pressure applied to the brush works its way down to the teeth, Dr Kinsella warned.
Applying too much pressure is dangerous though because it can slowly erode the tooth enamel which can’t repair itself.
This action can also result in sensitivity and cause gums to shrink and erode, she added.
Instead, I always advise people to hold their toothbrush at the very end and use a grip as if they’re holding a pen.
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As she explained, by holding the brush in this way you will ensure that you aren’t applying too much pressure to the brush and the teeth, therefore protecting them from damage.
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