You can't separate your oral health from the rest of your body. Yet, there are many popular oral health recommendations that pretend to believe you can. If you're wondering why you have cavities despite a healthy diet and lifestyle, you should reconsider the following daily habits that are doing more harm than good.
1. Creating an imbalance in the microbiome with strong mouthwashes
When people suffer from bad breath, increased plaque, and other signs of imbalance, they often turn to antimicrobial or hydrogen peroxide-based mouthwashes. But strong mouthwashes can actually exacerbate the problem they are intended to solve.
Conventional mouthwashes are often formulated with alcohol, synthetic dyes, sweeteners, and other chemicals that indiscriminately kill microbes. They eliminate the pathogenic (bad) microbes as well as the essential (good) microbes that regulate other processes in the body. This disruption in the balance of the oral microbiome increases the likelihood of bad breath, cavities, and other oral health problems.
When used correctly, mouthwash has a useful function - the physical force created by rinsing your mouth can loosen food particles stuck between your teeth and in other places that are difficult to reach with brushing alone. However, conventional mouthwashes simply do not address the root causes of bad breath or cavities, which are mostly caused by pH imbalances or imbalances in the oral microbiome.
2. Using a toothbrush made of plastic
Most of us are good at brushing our teeth twice a day, but have you thought about what kind of tool you use? Many people are unaware that hard plastic brushes can damage both teeth and the environment.
The hard surface of many plastic toothbrushes, combined with excessive brushing, can wear away the important tooth enamel. This can lead to increased sensitivity to heat, cold and sweets, and in the worst case, permanent damage and icing. In addition, hard brushing can irritate the gums and lead to problems there.
Beyond your own health, plastic toothbrushes pose a significant burden on the environment. They do not decompose naturally and end up as plastic waste that pollutes both land and ocean.
Fortunately, there are alternatives! Glims bamboo toothbrushes, with their soft, plant-based "feathers", offer a gentle and effective cleaning without harming your teeth, gums or the planet.
3. Weakening of enamel due to constant snacking and drinking
Even if you eat healthily, your eating habits can still have a negative impact on your dental health. A healthy mouth has a neutral to slightly alkaline pH of 7. When the pH in your mouth becomes more acidic, with a pH of 5.5 and lower, your teeth become more susceptible to damage.
The following acidic food groups may be considered healthy, but they are harmful to tooth enamel and the oral microbiome:
- Coffee
- Carbonated water
- Lemon water
- Fruit
- Fermented foods and drinks
- Wine
The key is to allow plenty of time between snacks and drinks, so that saliva has time to do its job of restoring your mouth’s microbiome and pH balance. When you eat or drink acidic foods, bacteria produce acid and lower the pH in your mouth. When acidity persists for a long time, tooth enamel weakens, which in turn leads to demineralization of your teeth. Saliva restores neutrality, but this process can take up to two hours.
It's better to have a smoothie or a cup of coffee for breakfast, for example, than to drink it throughout the day. It may also mean limiting your intake of throat lozenges and pastilles, especially if they contain sugar. While lozenges or pastilles can reduce the pain of a mouth ulcer or bad breath, they can cause other problems if they contribute to regular acidity.
4. Brush your teeth when they are soft and defenseless
Has anyone told you to brush your teeth after you eat? They are only half right. This habit is closely related to the point above, and can wear down your enamel. Brushing your teeth immediately after eating acidic foods is more likely to lead to enamel erosion. Acid softens the tooth surface and damages the protective minerals in the enamel. Ironically, the bristles on your toothbrush can actually wear down your tooth, causing cracks that can later collect harmful bacteria and cause cavities.
Many people try to correct unhealthy food choices by brushing their teeth immediately afterward, but that only makes things worse. Instead, rinse your mouth with water and wait up to two hours after eating to brush your teeth. During this time, saliva production increases, neutralizing the pH in your mouth and remineralizing your teeth. Therefore, it may be beneficial to brush your teeth as soon as you wake up (rather than waiting until after breakfast).
Try Glim Hydroxyapatite (HA) toothpaste tablets that rebuild enamel and nourish damaged teeth. Being an organic material found in the body, HA binds directly to teeth and rebuilds demineralized areas. HA is also useful in relieving tooth sensitivity and reducing cavities.
Create daily habits that support all the systems in your body
Good oral care routines allow for a fine-tuned interaction between your mouth and the rest of your body. By focusing on replacing habits that disrupt the balance of your oral microbiome, your entire body will appreciate it in the long run.
