Taking good care of your teeth but still having yellowing? The dentist points out two common mistakes that almost everyone makes: Remember these two times when you SHOULD NOT brush your teeth.
Many people believe they are taking care of their teeth correctly, but when they notice their teeth are still yellow or not as bright, they wonder, “What’s the cause? Have I done something wrong?”
If you’ve been taking great care of your teeth, such as brushing, flossing regularly, getting routine dental checkups, and avoiding tooth-staining factors, yet your teeth still don’t seem as white as you’d like, don’t be too upset. You’re not the only one in this situation.
In a TikTok video, Dr. Zainab Mackie, a dentist from Michigan, USA, explains that even if you’ve followed all of these dental care practices, your teeth may still discolor, and it could be due to one of the following mistakes:
Brushing too hard
One common reason for yellowing teeth is brushing too hard. Brushing aggressively can wear down the enamel, the protective outer layer of your teeth, exposing the yellowish dentin underneath. This not only makes your teeth appear yellower but also increases tooth sensitivity and the risk of other dental issues like plaque buildup, cavities, and even tooth loss. Dr. Mackie states that the enamel protecting your teeth can erode over time, and you can speed up this process by brushing too hard. Diet and lifestyle
Dr. Mackie explains that your diet and lifestyle also play a crucial role in determining the color of your teeth. If you smoke, are on certain medications, or enjoy foods and drinks that stain, your teeth may turn yellow. Specifically, Dr. Mackie emphasizes that drinking too many acidic beverages, like fruit juices, can contribute to yellowing.
So, how can you avoid yellowing teeth?
To maintain a bright smile, Dr. Mackie advises against brushing too hard and recommends limiting carbonated drinks and fruit juices. Instead, brush gently and correctly, and use a straw to minimize contact with your teeth to avoid enamel erosion.
Dr. Mackie’s TikTok video has received a lot of positive feedback from the online community. Many people realized they had been making similar mistakes, such as brushing too hard or drinking orange juice immediately after brushing their teeth. Some people also asked about ways to fix yellowing teeth.
Dentist points out two times when you SHOULD NOT brush your teeth
We often hear about the importance of brushing twice a day, and most dentists recommend this to prevent plaque buildup, which causes cavities, gum disease, and bad breath. However, according to Dr. Shaadi Manouchehri, a dentist in London, there are also times when it’s equally important to avoid brushing your teeth. He shares two situations in which you should “absolutely not brush your teeth.”
Right after vomiting
Dr. Manouchehri explains: After vomiting, our natural reaction might be to brush our teeth immediately, but in reality, stomach acids are highly acidic, while teeth are made of minerals. Therefore, when these acids reach the mouth, the environment becomes highly acidic. If you brush right after, you may accidentally rub that acid onto your teeth, which harms the enamel.
It is best to wait at least 30 to 60 minutes before brushing your teeth. During this time, you can rinse your mouth with mouthwash or drink some water to help neutralize the acid in the mouth more quickly.
Right after drinking coffee
According to Dr. Manouchehri, coffee itself is acidic, and the acidity increases if you add milk and sugar. Similar to the case after vomiting, brushing your teeth immediately after drinking coffee can rub the acid onto your teeth, causing enamel erosion.
His advice is to wait at least 30 to 60 minutes after drinking coffee before brushing your teeth. During this time, you can rinse with mouthwash or simply drink water.
