EXCLUSIVE Dentist reveals the surprising 'healthy habits' that are RUINING your teeth
Taking care of your teeth seems like a straightforward task - but some of your 'healthy habits' may actually be wreaking havoc on your pearly whites.
Dentists have now weighed in on how best to keep your teeth healthy, with some surprising foods and routines damaging your mouth.
'You'd be shocked how many well-meaning health habits are sneaky saboteurs of your smile,' says Dr. Michelle Jortgensen, a holistic and biologic dentist, told DailyMail.com.
Dr. Jorgensen listed some very common mistakes people make that are damaging their teeth - including energy drinks, dried fruit, green smoothies, and even Goldfish crackers.
The dentist explained that many habits that are touted as 'healthy' can actually have the opposite effect and can cause enamel erosion, which is a condition where the enamel - the hard, outer layer of teeth - is gradually worn away by acids leading to sensitivity and cavities.
'I see patients sipping lemon water all day because they've heard it's good for detox - but that constant acid bath is basically an open invitation to enamel erosion,' she explained.
She said there is nothing wrong with lemon water but reminds people teeth are not made to withstand this every day.
'Your teeth are strong but they're not made for 24/7 citrus spa treatments,' she explained.
'Health isn't one-size-fits-all — and your mouth knows when you're following trends instead of science,' Dr. Jorgensen pointed out.
'If you want your teeth to last a lifetime, you need to protect them like the precious living structures they are.'
Below, Dr. Jorgensen reveals to FEMAIL the sneaky healthy habits that could be ruining your mouth hygiene.
Drinking green smoothies
Green smoothies seem like the are the height of health - but too much of anything isn't good for you.
'Without a little calcium added in, the oxalates in raw spinach can actually pull minerals from your teeth,' the dentist said.
'I call it the "health halo effect,"' she explained. 'Things that look angelic on Instagram but wreak havoc in your mouth.'
Eating raisins
While raisins aren't necessary bad for you, they do come with an increased cavity risk.
'Raisins and all-fruit gummy snacks - nature's gummy candy,' the expert declared.
'Sticky, sugary, and worse than a Snickers bar when it comes to cavity risk.'
Consuming sports drinks
Sports drinks seem necessary after a workout - but they're not always the smartest choice.
Dr. Jorgensen warned that Crystal Light, energy drinks, and even 'natural' sports drinks that are low in calories are often off-the-charts in acidity.
'That low pH literally dissolves the minerals in your teeth,' she explained.
Snacking on Goldfish crackers
Unfortunately Goldfish - the tiny orange crackers - can result in more that just a sugar rush.
Dr. Jorgensen explained the bite-sized orange fish crackers are 'starch bombs.'
'[They] break down into simple sugars and coat kids' teeth like glue,' she explained.
Chewing fingernails
'Biting nails are a nervous habit for many,' the dentist explained.
'But a subconscious focus trick for many adults, but brutal on enamel and can even lead to micro-fractures.'
Sleeping poorly
Sleep is objectively good for your body, Dr. Jorgensen assures, but not so good for your mouth it turns out.
'Your mouth can take the brunt of poor sleep,' the expert explained.
'During sleep, saliva flow drops to nearly zero, and if you breathe through your mouth at night, it gets even worse.
'That dry environment is a playground for cavity and gum disease-causing bacteria,' she added.
To fix it, Dr. Jorgensen suggests mouth taping if you're a mouth breather.
'It's a simple, safe hack that trains you to breathe through your nose and protects your oral health while you sleep,' she explained.
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