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THE TOOTH HURTS
The 4 bad habits your dentist can tell you’re guilty of – just by looking in your mouth
Plus, top tips for treating bleeding gums
WHEN it comes to visiting the dentist, many of us are guilty of not being completely truthful about our oral hygiene.
You might find yourself lying about how often you brush or floss, or indulging in unhealthy food and drinks.
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But the truth is, nothing gets past your dentist the moment you say "Ahh!".
Dr Safa Al-Naher, a dentist in Knightsbridge, London who offers cosmetic and facial aesthetics at her clinic , has revealed certain bad habits lots of people are guilty of are very evident when she takes a look inside patients' mouths.
1. Teeth grinding
Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, is considered a relatively common issue in the UK, affecting around 8-10 per cent of the population.
But many don't realise they do it.
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Dr Safa said: "Teeth grinding is normally an unconscious action. But dentists will notice ridges on the tongue and you can see the effects on the insides of the cheeks and signs of tooth wear on teeth."
Stress, anxiety, sleep disorders, and certain medications can all contribute to the issue.
But it's important to get it treated, as grinding can lead to all sorts of health problems - you could crack or fracture your teeth, which may require crowns or dental implants.
You could also wear down the enamel on your teeth, leading to periodontal disease or lost teeth.
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2. Acid reflux problem or bulimia
Acid reflux problems and bulimia can also be easily spotted in the mouth, says Dr Safa.
Acid reflux is when stomach acid rises into the oesophagus.
Timeline of how teeth change due to ageing
It can be caused by a number of things, including certain foods and drinks, being overweight and smoking.
Bulimia is an eating disorder characterised by regular, often secretive bouts of overeating followed by self-induced vomiting.
Dr Safa said: "We can sometimes see an acid reflux problem or even bulimia. It has a very typical presentation in the mouth - tooth wear on the back of the teeth."
A dentist can't directly treat acid reflux itself, but they can identify the signs and help manage the dental effects.
Acid reflux is typically treated with lifestyle changes like dietary adjustments, weight loss if necessary, and medications such as over-the-counter antacids for occasional symptoms - your GP will be able to help.
For help with eating disorders like bulimia, follow the below advice.
What to do if you think you have an eating disorder
If you think you may have an eating disorder, see a GP as soon as you can.
Symptoms of eating disorders include:
- spending a lot of time worrying about your weight and body shape
- avoiding socialising when you think food will be involved
- eating very little food
- making yourself sick or taking laxatives after you eat
- exercising too much
- having very strict habits or routines around food
- changes in your mood, such as being withdrawn, anxious or depressed
Once you've spoken to your GP, they may refer you to an eating disorder specialist or team of specialists.
You can also talk in confidence to an adviser from eating disorders charity by calling the Beat helpline on 0808 801 0677.
Source: NHS
3. Opening bottles with your teeth
People sometimes open bottles with their teeth because it can seem like a quick and convenient solution when a bottle opener isn't readily available.
But Dr Safa can tell if you've taken the risky shortcut.
She said: "I can tell if a patient has been using their teeth to open bottles or if they've got any particular habits, like chewing on pencils or overusing toothpicks, for example."
There may be noticeable chips, cracks, or uneven wear patterns on the edges of the incisors (front teeth) which are the teeth most commonly used for opening bottles.
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4. Piercings
Dentists generally advise against oral piercings because they can be harmful to your teeth and gums.
You might think it's smart taking your jewellery out before your appointment, but Dr Safa can still tell if you regularly wear it.
She said: "Piercings are often quite dangerous, especially metallic ones.
"They can cause fractures in teeth."
Treating bleeding gums
Bleeding gums can be one of the most obvious signs something is wrong with your oral health.
Alongside swollen, tender gums, and bad breath, it can be one of the earliest signs of gum disease.
The good news is, says Dr Safa, is gum disease can be stopped in its tracks.
So what should you do if you notice your gums are bleeding?
Dr Safa recommends seven important steps you should take.
Brush twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste
Effective tooth brushing is the first thing in Dr Safa's top tips list for a reason.
She explained: "Brushing our teeth twice a day for two minutes with a fluoride toothpaste is vital for gum health and also helps protect against other tooth decay.
"The best results are achieved if you brush last thing at night and first thing in the morning - ideally before you eat breakfast - using an electric toothbrush."
Which are better, manual or electric toothbrushes?
Powered toothbrushes have been shown to be more effective than manual brushes in numerous studies.
Dr Safa said: "I recommend a Philips Sonicare sonic toothbrush as the brush head sweeps over the teeth many thousands of times a minute, so many more than can be achieved manually.
"And it's far less technique sensitive, you just hover the brush over the teeth and it does all the work for you, without exerting undue pressure on the gums."
How to brush
It's important to pay equal attention to every area of the mouth.
To make sure, Dr Safa suggests patients split their mouths into four areas, and brush each for 30 seconds.
She said: "During this time, brush the front, back, top and between each tooth.
"Then move to the next quarter, and so on.
"Using a two-minute egg timer or stop watch on your phone helps but some electric tooth brushes also have a timer function.
"It's equally as important that we spit out the excess toothpaste after brushing, but don’t rinse our mouth out with water as this makes sure the fluoride stays on our teeth longer, giving extra protection.
"Try not to apply too much pressure when you brush as this can lead gums to bleed more and may ultimately cause them to recede."
Use interdental brushes or floss
Start using interdental brushes or dental floss and make it the second step in your daily oral health routine, said Dr Safa.
This is because a toothbrush cannot reach between the teeth like interdental brushes or floss can.
She advised: "It’s important to get into these areas which a toothbrush cannot reach, otherwise pockets of plaque may build up,
potentially causing problems for our gums.
"When we first start using interdental brushes or floss it is not uncommon for our gums to bleed.
"If this happens, it's important to persist and keep going.
"After a week or two the bleeding should stop.
"I'm often asked how many teeth I should floss between - and I reply, only the teeth you want to keep!"
Use a mouthwash
Using a mouthwash is beneficial for oral health as it helps to clear our mouth of debris.
It also helps prevent plaque build-up on our gums, in-between our teeth, and on the surface of our teeth in between brushing.
It can also help to freshen our breath by killing bacteria.
Dr Safa said: "It’s important when considering a mouthwash, to choose one containing fluoride to help give the mouth extra protection throughout the day."
Visit the dentist and/or dental hygienist
If you have bleeding gums it's a good idea to contact your dentist or dental hygienist, said Dr Safa, especially if you haven’t seen yours for over a year.
She said: "We may want to see you more frequently, for example every three to six months, if there are signs of gum disease.
"We can give our advice on cleaning techniques and remove any tartar build-up which may develop faster or in larger quantities if you are not quite removing plaque efficiently at home.
"If you are pregnant, you may be more prone to bleeding gums which is why your dental treatment is free during your pregnancy and it may prevent your baby being born early or underweight."
Look at your diet and lifestyle
Smoking, drinking lots of alcohol, and an unhealthy diet can all lead to problems inside the mouth.
Dr Safa said: "Smoking increases the risk of gum disease so it's a good idea for both your oral health and overall health to quit.
"This is because smoking causes a lack of oxygen in the bloodstream,
so the infected gums don't get the chance to heal.
"It's also a good idea to keep your alcohol consumption in check as it can also affect the health of the mouth.
"Adopting a healthy lifestyle is also important in order for our mouth to function properly.
"A diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables can help us to prevent gum disease.
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"Watch out though as processed foods with 'no added sugar' don’t mean that they are is sugar-free, it just indicates that no extra sugar has been added, but does not include the presence of naturally-occurring sugars."
Dr Safa added you may want to avoid dried fruit, for example, as not only are they very high in natural sugars, but they cling to the teeth like glue.
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