7 ‘Secret’ Threats to Your Dental Health

Even the smartest patient is not always aware of everything that might damage their dental health, and some habits that seem good for you can be surprisingly damaging.

Exercise-related threats

Tooth protection: anyone who plays contact sport should visit United Smiles for a properly fitted mouthguard to protect their teeth while they protect their physical health.

Cardiovascular exercise: exercise, particularly cardio, reduces saliva levels, and saliva helps keep the mouth's bacteria balance in check and supplies minerals to the teeth. Chewing sugar-free gum while working out and brushing before exercise helps keep saliva flowing.

Weightlifting and exertion: clenching your teeth while lifting weights transmits stress through the teeth and jaw, which can damage teeth and cause jaw pain, headaches and muscle spasms. A mouthguard can help here too.

Dangerous oral hygiene practices

Brushing straight after a meal: brushing immediately after eating, especially acidic food, can wear away porous enamel. Drink water first and wait at least 30 minutes before brushing to let enamel remineralise.

Rinsing after brushing: rinsing washes away the fluoride left on your teeth from toothpaste. Spitting out the excess without rinsing gives your teeth a mini fluoride treatment.

Overbrushing: scrubbing as hard as possible can damage teeth and gums; a soft-bristled brush used gently is the safer, healthier option.

Your teeth in daily life

Using your teeth as tools: using your teeth to tear or open things, chew on pens or pencils, or hold pins, nails or screws can crack, break or wear your teeth and injure your gums. Keep a pair of scissors handy instead.

United Smiles is conveniently located in the heart of Mernda Village, serving patients from all Melbourne areas, with ample parking at the rear and wheelchair access at the front.

Our special offers for new patients

No gap on dental checkup and clean for Medibank Private, HCF and CBHS. Bulk bill Child Dental Benefits Schedule up to $1,000.