WHY YOUR DENTIST IS SECRETLY JUDGING YOU?

-Silent daily life deeds that low-key ruin your oral health

Brushing your teeth twice a day? – GREAT!

Using non-alcoholic mouthwashes? – AMAZING!

Do you even floss your pearly whites? – YOU’RE COOKED!

But what if I told you it’s not enough? No, we dentists are not hard to impress; we simply want what’s best for you. The following are sneaky little acts that all of us do without knowing that they might be up to no good in your sweet little mouth.

I’M CHEWING GUM CUZ I’M BORED, IT’S SUGARLESS THO

Okay, so like, technically, sugarless gum isn’t the villain. You’ve probs even heard people say it’s good for your teeth.
But guess what? Your jaw's out here silently plotting your downfall.

Chewing gum 24/7 like it’s some quirky coping mechanism? Not cute. Your Temporo-mandibular Joint (TMJ) (that tiny joint that lets you talk, chew, yawn through awkward convos and boring AF lectures) is being straight-up bullied.

Overdoing it WILL cause a sore jaw, weird clicking sounds, headaches, and vibes that scream, “I grind my teeth and my soul.”

Also, if you're chewing thinking it’s helping you mew your way to a snatched jawline—pls stop. This isn’t an anime transformation arc.

Bottom line: Sugarless gum is fine. Being emotionally dependent on it like it’s your situationship? Not fine.

GYM = GAINS + (CAVITIES), SAY WHAT NOW?

Alright, no need to freak out—working out isn’t inherently bad for your teeth. Unless you’re chewing on your dumbbells mid-set… then yeah, we’ve got bigger issues.

But let’s talk about what goes down:
That protein shake you chug like it’s your post-leg-day trophy? It dries your mouth out real quick.
And those big, dramatic exhales you do while lifting? Kinda iconic, but also a free pass for saliva to take a break. And when saliva’s gone, cavity-causing bacteria clock in for overtime.

The fix?
Water. Lots of it. Sip like your oral health is on the line-because it is. Hydration = the real gym

SIPPER-ERA IS NOT CUTE FOR YOUR TOOTH

Most people kinda know this already… but I’m still putting it out there. Just in case someone needs a wake-up call.

Sippin’ on that iced latte, green tea, lemon water, or diet soda all day long? Feels like self-care, right? It’s fueling your day, making the vibes feel productive, and honestly, it’s giving the main character energy. But plot twist- while you’re out here thriving, your enamel is getting wrecked in the background.

Turns out, that Cappuccino Assassino might sound like your go-to order, but it’s also not-so-silently murdering your enamel. Because here’s the tea (pun fully intended): every time you sip something acidic or sugary, you're pressing the reset button on an acid attack in your mouth. One sip, and the bacteria are like, "Yup, party time." EVERY.SINGLE.SIP

So while your tastebuds are living their best life, your enamel is quietly screaming for help. This slow, casual sipping keeps your mouth acidic for hours. And enamel? It’s not exactly built for that kind of endurance.

What to do instead? Chug that drink in one go-without choking on it please-and rinse your mouth with some plain water afterwards. That’s it. No expensive mouthwash, no extra drama. Just water. It helps bring the pH back to normal and gives your enamel a break from the chaos.

Moral of the story- Sip smart. Or don’t be surprised when your next dental visit sounds like a budget horror film.

LIP BALM IS A GIRL’S BEST FRIEND, INDEED, BUT IS IT REALLY?

Cherry lip balms are everybody’s favorite, and I mean, who can blame us? That sweet little cherry flavor is basically a must-have in your bag, making you feel like you’re ready for a photoshoot in the middle of a coffee shop. It’s the ultimate cute accessory, right?

But here’s the thing, lip balm is lowkey a dental villain in disguise.

That innocent pink balm isn’t just chilling on your lips, looking cute. Oh no. It’s sliding its sugary goodness straight into your mouth and finding a comfy spot on your gumline lounge like it’s at some VIP section in a club.

And while you’re out here glowing like you just walked out of a skincare ad, that lip balm is secretly striking a deal with the cavity-causing bacteria inside your mouth. It’s handing them sugar-like a literal candy shop-and inviting them to go rage on your teeth’s grooves and crevices. And guess what? Your teeth? They’re not having it. They’re over it.

Think of it this way: while you’re getting that glossy lip moment, your enamel’s getting blindsided. It's like the sweetest betrayal ever, and your teeth are the ones stuck dealing with the aftermath. They didn’t ask for this kind of drama.

But before you go full “delete all lip balms from your life” mode, hold up. You don’t need to ditch your favourites entirely. You just need to make some upgrades. Switch to sugar-free or natural lip balms- ones that won’t start an all-out war with your enamel the second you swipe them on. Trust me, your lips will still pop, and your teeth will thank you for it.

Your smile is too important to be messed with by a little tube of cherry bliss, so let’s be real: we can do better than this. And so can your lips.

SKIPPING BREAKFAST DOESN’T GIVE BAD BOSS ENERGY

Skipping meals is never cool, period. Not for your gut, and definitely not for your oral cavity. I get it- life

gets busy, your sleep schedule is messed up, and sometimes it feels like there’s just no time for food. But here’s the thing: skipping meals is one of the sneakiest ways you’re actually sabotaging your smile without even realizing it.

When you skip meals, you chew less. And when you chew less, your saliva goes on a little holiday. It decides to take a break and leave your mouth vulnerable. And while your saliva is off somewhere living its best life, bacteria move in and make themselves right at home. They take over the spaces between your teeth and gums, just waiting to cause some trouble.

I know you think you’re too busy to eat, but the truth is, you don’t need to have a full meal to keep your teeth healthy. Something as simple as a slice of toast or a banana will get that saliva flowing again and keep the bacteria in check. It’s not hard to do, and it makes a big difference for your oral health.