A dentist has revealed the best ways to improve your oral hygiene and protect your teeth.
Dr Ben Hargreave, the principal dentist at the Sydney-based Dental Boutique, shared the common ways people damage their teeth and how to avoid them.
While lemon water and apple cider vinegar have been praised for their ‘wellness’ benefits, Dr Hargreave told The Mail drinking them could damage teeth in the long run.
He said: “This may help you get rid of some stubborn fat but it is acidic and will strip away your enamel.”
The doctor also advised against using hard-bristled toothbrushes and abrasive toothpaste, explaining, “These might scrub off the stains, but they can also scrub off the top layer of your teeth over time.”
He said soft-bristled toothbrushes are just as effective and avoid causing damage to a person’s teeth and gums.
Dr Hargreave went on to urge people not to go overseas for dental treatment, no matter how much they may save in costs by travelling to Mexico, Turkey and Thailand.
He said: “You only get one set of teeth and we are seeing an increasing amount of very poor overseas dentistry being done.
“It can lead to life-long issues with your teeth and can be more expensive to repair than the original job would have cost you here. Especially when it comes to cosmetic dentistry, seek out the opinion of cosmetic dentists who do this type of work every day.”
The dentist echoed this statement for buying teeth-whitening products and clear aligners online. The first can lead to chemical burns and both can severely damage teeth.
Dr Hargreave added: “A custom whitening tray fabricated by your dentist and an appropriate concentration of bleaching gel can really make a difference if used correctly.
“If you can buy (an aligner) from a shop or you take your own impression in the mail it can often end in disappointment or even disaster.
“Dentists with experience spend years learning how to move teeth using clear aligner systems. Please see your dentist so that it can be done safely, and even more importantly see a dentist who does these types of procedures every day.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
