It’s actually very easy to fix the error
The importance of brushing our teeth twice a day is drilled in to us from a young age.
And while we might moan at our parents growing up when we’re forced to do it before bed and first thing in the morning, there’s obvious reasons as to why we should do as we’re told.
It’s become especially important in a modern life with modern food and drink that has opened us up to greater harm on a much more regular basis.
But even if we stay on top of it and brush regularly with the best toothpastes and an electric toothbrush, some of us can’t escape discolouring.
‘Keep on brushing so you don’t get yellow teeth‘ is drilled in to us as kids but there’s a common mistake in the modern world that experts say we might not even know we’re committing.
Dr. Ferakh Hamid is a dentist based in the United Kingdom with more than two decades of experience working in the industry.
As head of Aesthetique Dental Care in Leeds, he’s spoken about exactly what you need to do before putting the toothpaste in your mouth.
The key thing for Dr. Hamid is when you turn that tap on.
People hate having yellow teeth. (Getty Stock Images)
“Brushing your teeth in certain ways, like without water or right after eating acidic foods, might actually make them look less white over time,” he said.
That’s right. It’s critical to lubricate the toothpaste by properly wetting it and the bristles on the end of your brush.
He said: “Dry brushing might seem good for getting rid of surface stains at first.
“But without water, toothpaste doesn’t spread well.”
Dr. Hamid further explains that wetting the bristles also protects your dental health.
He said: “When you wet the bristles, they soften up.
“This means when you brush, it’s gentler on your gums and teeth, helping to avoid any irritation or damage.”
Another mistake that some make comes when you brush your teeth too soon after eating or drinking acidic produce.
Yellow vs white teeth. (Getty Stock Images)
We’re talking fizzy drinks, fruits, and sweets for a start.
This isn’t as much to do with colouring as the long-term health of your teeth
Dr. Ezzard Rolle, from Columbia University, said: “We definitely recommend holding off on brushing after consuming anything acidic, whether it’s fruit, soda, juice, or sour candy.
“The reason for that is that when acids are in the mouth, they weaken the enamel of the tooth, which is the outer layer of the tooth.”
Dr. Rolle says you can do something to help your teeth if you do eat these foods. He said: “After eating or drinking something acidic, I always recommend rinsing with or drinking water, which starts the remineralisation process of the enamel.”