"People think the harder the bristles, and the more aggressive they brush, the better," says Toscano. "But this just isn't the case. The dental care industry offers toothbrushes in soft, medium, and hard, and honestly, I don't know why they sell [hard toothbrushes]. It's got to be a way to just make more money," says Toscano.
So what's so wrong with a good, hard scrubbing? Hard toothbrush bristles and over-aggressive brushing cause gums to recede, exposing the root of the tooth and causing your teeth to look old, says Toscano. Singh agrees. "The plaque and bacteria that build up on your teeth can be more effectively removed with a softer, gentler scrub."
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Re-think your swim workouts
Swimming -- a sport many agree is one of the best exercises you can do -- can hurt your teeth? Yep, you read that right.
Singh says that swimming in pool water that is excessively chlorinated can erode and stain tooth enamel. "Excessive chlorine lowers the pool's pH level, making it dangerously acidic," he says. So if you're a frequent swimmer, pack a toothbrush along with that towel of yours. "Brushing your teeth and using a fluoride rinse immediately after swimming will help," says the doctor.
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Stop whitening so much
While teeth whitening is generally safe, some people go overboard with it, becoming addicted to the power of bleaching, says dentist Bill Dorfman, DDM, one of the creators of Zoom whitening. Too much of a good thing is not always good, agrees Toscano. "There are many different whitening materials out there, and if they're used improperly or too often, it can result in damage of the gums and teeth."
It's also important to be wary of teeth whitening pop-up shops in your local mall, says Toscano. "These places don't exactly know what they are doing and patients don't know what they are getting themselves into," he says. You can end up walking out with burned lips or gums when a shop like this isn't managed by a licensed professional, warns the doc.
Your quest for a thinner waistline may be negatively affecting your teeth, says Singh. "Certain diet pills may contain chemicals that can cause a decreased salivary flow, which results in a higher risk of tooth decay and oral problems," he warns. Remember, the saliva in your mouth not only naturally washes away food particles that cause decay, but it also helps to neutralize acid levels, which if too high can "thin the enamel, making the teeth appear darker, not to mention more brittle and prone to chipping and cracking," says Singh. So before you start popping pills to lose weight, make sure to consider how it might affect your smile.
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Schedule regular dentist appointments
The Orbit girl knows what's up -- that mouth of yours is filthy. While her cure is a stick of gum, doctors say it takes more to clean up your act. "Really, the most common mistake women make is not getting to the dentist frequently enough," says Toscano. "Patients come in two years apart and they expect to keep their teeth white and bright, and it just doesn't work that way."
A regular patient should be in every six months for a cleaning in order to keep gums healthy and teeth free of cavities. "Your mouth is a very dirty place, and if you don't give it attention you're going to get gum disease -- period." So sure, pop some gum, but keep up the doctor visits too.
Whether you dread going to the dentist or eagerly open wide every six months, here's some news that may shock you: You currently have a few habits that are ruining your smile.
And no, we aren't talking about the glaringly obvious no-nos, like smoking and drinking gallons of Franzia. No judgment, but you're on your own with those beauty-busting behaviors.
The bad-teeth habits we uncovered are far more shocking (as in, your favorite workout could be wrecking your dental health!). But the good news is once you know what these smile saboteurs are, you can take steps to keep your pearly whites in perfect condition.
And there's good reason to do just that: A new Harris Interactive survey found that nearly 90 percent of adults think a bright or white smile makes a good first impression, and more than half say they use your smile to judge your personality, stating it's the best indicator of someone�s friendliness.
So see if you're guilty of committing any of these bad-teeth crimes and try the simple fixes that will make over your smile immediately.
