The instinct to brush after consuming sugary or acidic foods is harmful because it mechanically grinds damaging substances into your tooth enamel. It is better to wait 30 minutes or chew sugar-free gum to neutralize saliva before brushing.
Smokers often don't experience bleeding gums, a key symptom of gum disease. This is not because their gums are healthy, but because nicotine constricts blood vessels, preventing bleeding even when severe gum inflammation is present, giving a false sense of security.
Many whitening toothpastes work by being highly abrasive, effectively 'exfoliating' the tooth's surface. Overuse can erode the outer enamel layer, exposing the naturally yellower dentin underneath. This can lead to increased sensitivity and the opposite of the intended whitening effect.
The common beverage green tea is highly effective at killing a specific oral bacteria, *Fusobacterium nucleotum*. This particular bacteria has been scientifically linked to accelerating tumor growth in colorectal and breast cancer, providing a specific mechanism for green tea's health benefits.
Sipping sugary drinks over a long period forces saliva's pH to repeatedly shift from acidic to neutral, eventually failing and remaining acidic. Consuming sugar all at once allows saliva to neutralize the acid just once, minimizing the risk of tooth decay.
Rinsing your mouth with water after brushing removes beneficial ingredients like fluoride that protect your teeth, much like showering after applying sunscreen. Instead, you should only spit out excess toothpaste to leave a protective coating on your teeth.