Dental hygienists know a thing or two about keeping teeth healthy. After all, they spend most of their days looking into people’s mouths and seeing the damage that certain habits can do.
Indeed, many common behaviors can cause or worsen dental issues like cavities and gum disease and generally negate the benefits of good oral hygiene. And the consequences of overlooking our oral health go beyond just our mouths.
“Your oral health is connected to everything from heart disease to diabetes, pregnancy complications and cognitive health,” registered dental hygienist Iman Zayed told HuffPost. “Taking care of your smile isn’t just cosmetic ― it’s a crucial investment in your overall well-being.”
Below, Zayed and other dental hygienists share the tooth-damaging habits and behaviors that they advise against and would never, ever do themselves.
They don’t brush their teeth immediately after eating or drinking.
“I never brush my teeth right after eating or drinking because I would be brushing in an acidic environment, which can damage my teeth,” said Kari Carter-Cherelus, a registered dental hygienist. “I wait thirty minutes when the pH in my mouth has returned to an alkaline state.”
For the same reason, Brittany Glauz never brushes immediately after breakfast and instead opts to do it beforehand.
“Brushing before eating breakfast helps protect your teeth from acid attacks and plaque buildup,” said Glauz, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice. “Brushing as soon as you wake up removes this harmful bacteria that has built up overnight. If you brush after breakfast, especially after consuming acidic foods like fruit, juice or coffee, you risk brushing the acidic pH all over, which can lead to erosion over time.”
She recommended rinsing your mouth with water or chewing xylitol gum after your meal if you want a fresher feel.
“I don’t brush immediately after drinking something acidic, like lemon water or soda,” said registered dental hygienist and coach Amber Auger. “I wait at least 30 minutes so my enamel has time to reharden before brushing. Brushing too soon can actually wear down the enamel when it’s at its weakest.”
They don’t chew ice.
“I would never chew on ice,” said Allison Cuevas, founder of The Bright Bite Dental Hygiene Services. “It might seem harmless, but chewing ice can chip or crack enamel, leading to painful fractures or sensitivity over time.”
It’s not just the firmness of the ice that’s an issue ― there’s also the cold temperature to consider. If you have fillings, a sudden temperature change can cause them to contract or expand at different rates than the tooth, which may weaken the bonds.
They don’t use a toothbrush with hard bristles.
“I never use hard bristle toothbrushes,” Glauz said. “Over time, brushing too aggressively with stiff bristles can damage your gums and enamel. I always recommend using a soft or extra-soft toothbrush and focusing on gentle, effective technique. It’s more about the technique not the stiffness of bristles.”
Rather than buying overly abrasive toothbrushes, focus on perfecting your circular motions and angle as you brush.
They don’t use too much pressure when brushing.
“I avoid brushing too aggressively,” said registered dental hygienist Tajah Ferjuste. “A lot of people assume the harder they brush, the cleaner their teeth will be, but it does more harm than good. It wears away enamel and causes gum recession, which can lead to sensitivity.”
It’s hard to fix these issues once they start, so take a more preventative approach.
“When it comes to brushing, more pressure isn’t better,” said Emily R., a dental hygienist at Beverly Hills Dental Arts. “In fact, brushing too hard can lead to gum recession and expose the dentin ― the yellowish layer beneath your enamel—making teeth appear discolored and increasing sensitivity. Use gentle, circular motions when cleaning your teeth. Remember: You only get one adult set. Take care of them.”
They don’t use their teeth as tools.
“I never, ever use my teeth as tools,” Auger said. “I’m talking about ripping open packages, holding bobby pins, or trying to open a bottle cap with them. It’s an easy way to chip or crack a tooth, and once that happens, it’s usually a pricey fix.”
Protecting your teeth and gums goes beyond good oral hygiene with daily flossing and brushing. You want to avoid putting unnecessary stress on them.
“Teeth are not designed for ripping off clothing tags and cracking up packaging,” Emily R. said. “Using them this way can lead to micro-cracks, chips, gum injuries, or even strain the temporomandibular joint. It can also damage any existing dental work like fillings, veneers, or crowns. Your teeth are meant for chewing, speaking, and smiling ― not replacing scissors or bottle openers. Treat them accordingly.”
Another problematic use for teeth is biting your nails.
“I never bite my nails,” Glauz said. “Nail biting can cause uneven wear, and introduce bacteria into the mouth, increasing the risk of infection. Avoiding these habits helps protect both the health and longevity of your smile.”
They don’t engage in prolonged consumption of acidic foods and drinks.
“I avoid prolonged consumption of acidic foods and drinks, such as sucking on lemons or drinking soda,” said Martelle Coke, a registered dental hygienist and founder of the All Smiles Matter campaign. “Excessive exposure to acids can cause enamel erosion, tooth decay, and increased sensitivity.”
It’s OK to treat yourself sometimes with soda or juice, but you should avoid sipping on these sugary drinks throughout the day.
“Frequency is more damaging than quantity when it comes to sugar and acid exposure,” said registered dental hygienist Whitney DiFoggio. “Sipping throughout the day constantly bathes your teeth in acid and sugar, giving your saliva no chance to neutralize and remineralize. Drink it, be done, then rinse with water or chew xylitol gum to help rebalance your mouth.”
They don’t go to unlicensed providers for dental work.
“As a dental hygienist, I would never go to an unlicensed individual for any dental work,” Carter-Cherelus said. “Many are going to these individuals and having composite veneers done from so-called veneer techs ― and they may end up losing their teeth or causing more damage because often cavities and gum disease are being covered up and not treated.”
She stressed the importance of regularly going to a dental office that performs important assessments like a complete periodontal evaluation, blood pressure test and oral cancer exam. You should also stick to a licensed medical professional for things like tooth gems.
“I love bling!” Carter-Cherelus said. “However as a dental hygienist if I want tooth gems on my teeth, I would have it done at a dental office so that I know they are using products that are safe to use in my mouth and that it will be done in a safe environment.”
They don’t engage in risky dental trends from TikTok.
“I steer clear of any dental TikTok trends,” Zayed said. “Whether it’s filing teeth with nail files, DIY whitening with questionable ingredients or party tricks like opening bottles with your teeth ― these are recipes for disaster! They can permanently damage your enamel, fracture teeth and lead to serious complications requiring root canals, extractions, or expensive implants.”
She emphasized that temporary social media clout is not worth the potential lifetime of dental issues.
Carter-Cherelus similarly advised against unsafe trends, particularly ones that involve using everyday adhesives like nail glue to attach fangs and other things to your teeth.
“As a dental hygienist I would never use super glue, gorilla glue, or any other type of chemical in my mouth that is not intended to go in my mouth,” she said. “Certain chemicals are toxic and can either harm your teeth or your body or both.”
They don’t opt for unnecessary cosmetic procedures.
These days, there’s more awareness around the different kinds of cosmetic procedures people undergo, including ones related to the teeth.
“I avoid unnecessary cosmetic procedures when more conservative options exist,” Zayed said. “While veneers can be transformative for the right candidate, I personally would exhaust options like professional whitening and orthodontic treatments like Invisalign before considering more invasive procedures that permanently alter natural tooth structure.”
They don’t skip regular cleanings and daily dental hygiene routine.
“I always get cleanings every three months,” Cuevas said. “Regular cleanings reduce the risk of gum disease, which has been linked to heart disease and other systemic health issues.”
Unsurprisingly, dental experts also say skipping your daily brushing and flossing routine is a no-no.
“Brushing twice a day and flossing once a day may not be trendy, but it’s the single most powerful thing you can do for your dental health,” DiFoggio said. “Don’t underestimate the power of routine. Mastering those two habits consistently can completely transform your dental health. Forget gimmicks and hacks ― consistency is the real secret.”
Although it may feel harmless to skip here and there, she emphasized that just one night without brushing and flossing can lead to big consequences that add up quickly.
“For some people, plaque can start to harden into tartar in as little as 24 hours ― and once that happens, it can no longer be removed with a toothbrush or floss,” DiFoggio explained. “You’ll need a professional cleaning to get rid of it.”
Remember the importance of consistency applies to both brushing and flossing.
“Brushing alone doesn’t reach between the teeth, where food and plaque tend to get trapped,” Ferjuste noted. “Flossing daily is essential for preventing cavities and gum disease.”
They don’t practice oil pulling in place of recommended daily habits.
DiFoggio said she never opts for oil pulling ― a practice that involves swishing edible oil around in the mouth ― in place of brushing and flossing.
“I’m not against oil pulling entirely,” she said. “It can be a relaxing ritual for some, but it’s not a replacement for brushing and flossing. There’s limited scientific evidence supporting its benefits, and in my opinion, it’s not worth the time or effort. Oral hygiene routines should be backed by strong research, and oil pulling just isn’t there. It’s fine as an addition, but never as a substitute.”
They don’t use alternative toothpastes if the risks fail to outweigh the rewards.
“You’ll never catch me using charcoal toothpaste,” DiFoggio said. “While it might make your teeth look whiter at first, charcoal is abrasive and can wear down your enamel over time ― revealing the yellowish dentin underneath. It’s a fast track to sensitivity and discoloration.”
She added that even non-charcoal whitening toothpastes can cause sensitivity if overused, so she uses them sparingly and always prioritizes protecting enamel. DiFoggio is also not a proponent of fluoride-free toothpaste.
“With so many myths floating around online, I see a lot of patients switching to fluoride-free toothpaste,” she said. “But here’s the truth: Fluoride is safe and effective, and helps remineralize enamel where early cavities are trying to form ― especially in acidic conditions where damage happens.”
A strong alternative to fluoride, nano-hydroxyapatite, doesn’t even perform as well against acid.
“Plus, fluoride-free toothpastes aren’t regulated the same way, so you don’t always know what you’re getting,” DiFoggio said. “Overall, not everyone needs fluoride, but if you’re cavity-prone, why take that chance?”
Read the full article here
