Dental experts have warned against poor oral hygiene habits that people think are a good idea, but are actually causing them harm.
«The mouth is a window to the health of your body and touches all aspects of our lives»says Roopali Kulkarni, a dentist and assistant director of the graduate program in oral medicine at Penn Dental Medicine and a spokesperson for the American Dental Association (ADA). “It may show signs of nutritional deficiencies or general infection. Systemic diseases, those that affect the whole body, can first manifest themselves by lesions in the mouth or other oral problems, “Kulkarni tells ‘Newsweek’.
Among the most common oral hygiene habits that could have a negative effect are brushing too hard or using a toothbrush that is too hard, according to Kulkarni.
Any of these habits could potentially cause damage to both your teeth and gums, which can lead to problems ranging from enamel wear to receding gums.
food between teeth
The Oral Health Foundation (OHF), a UK-based non-profit organisation, says that use chopsticks to remove food debris between the teeth can be quite harmful to the mouth and gums.
In fact, inserting something between your teeth that isn’t ergonomically designed to fit into these spaces, like an interdental brush, can be relatively dangerous.
If you have food stuck between your teeth, use dental floss or an interdental brush to remove it instead of a toothpick, OHF recommends.
home whitening
There are people who use a mixture of lemon juice and baking soda of pure sodium as homemade tooth whitener, which can damage enamel, the hard, shiny, white outer layer of teeth.
This is a very bad idea. Damaged enamel means teeth become much more sensitive and more likely to develop cavities.
In an article for ‘Gentle Dentistry’, Dr Stephanie Busch-Abbate said: “It’s a myth that you can safely whiten your teeth with lemon juice and baking soda. Unlike toothpaste, baking soda is abrasive and will wear down your tooth enamel over time. Also, lemon juice is too acidic.”
Treatment of ulcers and pain
The clove oil it is sometimes used as an antiseptic and to relieve a toothache or ulcer. While it is true that dentists can use clove oil, it is always highly diluted and applied by a trained professional.
Common side effects for people who use clove in their mouths include sore or swollen gums, bleeding, and mouth irritation. People who have liver disease, a weak immune system, allergies, or a bleeding or blood clotting disorder should consult their doctor before using clove.