Dr Shaadi Manouchehri, a London based dentist, has said there’s one thing everyone can do to give themselves ‘whiter teeth, avoid bad breath and reduce their risk of getting cavities’.
The simple method she recommends to keep your teeth fresh and clean throughout the day, especially after eating, is to drink water.
She urges people to do this after every meal and snack. “Your teeth are basically going to thank you,” Dr Manouchehri said.
Explaining the benefits of drinking water after every meal on TikTok, she added: “Once you’ve had your meal or your snack or your coffee/tea, it’s very important that you drink or sip water. This is going to help clear everything away a lot quicker.
“It’s also going to make sure your body is producing the right amount of saliva to be able to clear whatever you’ve taken in from your teeth a lot quicker.
In most of our daily lives, it’s not very practical to keep a spare toothbrush and toothpaste set with us at all times. Luckily, it’s not recommended that people go over the standard amount of brushing.
Dr Manouchehri said: “Now, for those people who will go grab a toothbrush and toothpaste to brush their teeth after having something to eat or drink – that is incorrect. Put that toothbrush down.
“You’re actually wearing away you enamel and your gums if you do that. You don’t need to brush any more than twice a day for two minutes. If you brush more you’re going to damage your teeth and gums.
“What you can do instead is just drink water. If you really, really want a little refresh, use mouthwash but no abrasive toothbrushing because that can be quite damaging!”
The best way to keep on top of your oral health is to schedule regular check-ups with your dentist. Usually twice a year, your dentist can help with detecting problems early that means they’re easier to treat.
The NHS website stresses that, if problems are ignored, they may lead to damage that’s harder, or even impossible, to repair.