The minerals in our tooth enamel are breaking down and repairing all the time. Photo / Getty Images
Sip on sports drinks
They are marketed as good for your health, but dentists say otherwise. Sports drinks are high in sugar and generally high in acid, too. Constantly sipping on them or other sweet beverages is what does the most damage to teeth.
“It takes about 20 minutes for your mouth to clean itself after you’ve had a sugar or acid attack,” explains Amanda Johnston, president of the New Zealand Dental Association. “If you keep sipping, there’s no time for recovery and that will cause a breakdown in the surface of your enamel and encourage bacteria to start forming decay in your teeth.”
Dentists would prefer us to drink plain water. “Obviously, we’re not going to win that battle all the time but if you’re going to have a sugary beverage then it’s better to drink it all in one go rather than sip slowly. Following it with some water will also help,” says Johnston.
Use the wrong toothbrush
Vigorous brushing can wear tooth enamel and lead to receding gums. The kind of brush you choose will contribute to that.
“You need to be using a soft toothbrush,” advises Johnston. “Medium or hard toothbrushes are great for cleaning your jewellery or the corners of the shower, but not that great for your teeth.”
Electric toothbrushes are a good option, too. They tend to have smaller heads which are easier to manoeuvre around the mouth.
Choose the wrong toothpaste
There is lots of choice when it comes to toothpaste, with a range of “natural” formulas containing ingredients like baking soda and charcoal. Baking soda can help neutralise acid in the mouth, but there is no real evidence of charcoal’s benefits.