A leading dentist has revealed the common mistake that causes many of his patients to end up with yellow and discolored teeth.
In a warning to the public by Dr Ferakh Hamid, a UK-based dentist with more than 20 years in the industry, he urged people to ensure they properly wet their brushes.
Applying toothpaste directly to teeth without enough water as a lubricant is a major cause of stains on teeth, he said.
He also warned about another common contributor to the problem: brushing your teeth too soon after eating or drinking acidic foods, such as tomatoes and orange juice.
“Brushing your teeth in certain ways, such as without water or right after eating acidic foods, can make them look less white over time,” said Dr. Hamid, director of Aesthetique Dental Care in the UKsaying.
UK-based dentist Dr Ferakh Hamid said brushing your teeth without water can make your teeth “dull” and brushing your teeth after eating acidic foods can make your teeth yellower.
“At first, dry brushing may seem good for removing surface stains, but without water, toothpaste doesn’t spread well.”
If you just ate acidic foods, such as citrus fruits, tomatoes, or soft drinks, your teeth may be too weak to reap the benefits of brushing. Your teeth are covered by a protective layer, called enamel.
Acidic foods can eat away at enamel, so if you brush your teeth immediately after they’ve weakened, you may move more acid around your mouth and not get the benefits of brushing, Dr. Hamid said. Brushing your teeth immediately after eating acidic foods “reveals the yellower layer underneath and makes your teeth look yellower,” he said.
Other dentists, such as Columbia University’s Dr. Ezzard Rolle, an assistant professor of dental medicine, agree with Dr. Hamid.
“We definitely recommend postponing brushing after consuming anything acidic, whether it’s fruit, soda, juice or sour candy,” she said in a statement. university press release.
However, not everyone agrees with Dr. Hamid about dry brushing.
Adding water to your toothbrush softens the bristles too much, making them less effective against plaque, said Dr. Michael Formenius, a dentist in Dubai. he wrote in an online Q&A session..
For that reason, Dr. Formenius recommends dry brushing to his patients.
But Dr. Hamid says softening the bristles can be an advantage in terms of dental health.
‘When you wet the bristles, they soften. This means that when you brush, it is gentler on your gums and teeth, which helps prevent any irritation or damage,” she said.
Wetting your toothbrush before brushing makes the brushing experience more comfortable. Delta Dental, the largest dental insurance provider in the United States. said in questions and answers.
However, they wrote, the wetness of the brush matters much less than the frequency and quality with which you brush your teeth.
To keep your teeth perfectly clean, Dr. Hamid said you should make sure to brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day.
You should also clean your tongue once a day and visit your dentist regularly.
“Following these steps will help prevent dental problems and keep your mouth feeling great,” she said.