Think you know a lot about how to care for your teeth and gums? Sometimes what we think we know isn’t always accurate. Here are three interesting dental health tips your Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist wants to share with you.

Citrus Erodes Tooth Enamel Even in Water

Peruse the internet and you’ll find a number of links to posts (like this one from Health) that embrace the benefit of drinking lemon in water for good health. The claims run the gamut from boosting your immune system and offering an antioxidant boost to aiding in constipation and helping with weight loss.

However, as this post from Shape suggests, not everything you hear about lemon and water is beneficial. While it may help with digestion, the citric acid in lemons may aggravate stomach issues. Plus, one lemon isn’t generally enough to detox.

Finally, our main concern: citric acid can lead to erosion of tooth enamel. Although some people feel lemon and water is better than coffee with sugar when it comes to dental health, your Century City cosmetic dentist suggests that you limit your intake of both acidic and sugary food and drink.

Don’t Ignore Receding Gums

Gums play an important role in your mouth. They are a soft tissue that covers the roots and bone. They protect the roots from decay and help hold your teeth in place.

Unfortunately, periodontitis and mouth injury can cause gums to recede. Receding gums can lead to serious long-term problems including sensitivity, pain, decay, and tooth loss.

One of the best ways to protect your gums from damage is through proper dental care. That includes daily brushing and flossing along with regular visits to your Beverly Hills cosmetic dentist. Additionally, if you play sports, consider wearing a mouth guard.

Get the Right Dental Health Info

A new survey from the U.K. now says that nearly 50 percent of adults admit to not brushing before retiring at night, usually because they’re too tired. Not brushing your teeth before bed leaves your mouth vulnerable to all the bacteria that have built up during your day. It’s the perfect breeding ground for cavities and gum disease.

If that’s not bad enough, a new idea for losing weight recently popped up on the internet. It suggested that one of the best ways to drop pounds is to brush your teeth immediately after dinner. Specifically, “make sure to rush to your bathroom right after your meal and thoroughly brush your teeth for at least five to eight minutes,” the post recommends. This is completely contrary to popular dental health care recommendations.

First, your teeth are their softest right after eating. Brushing immediately afterwards puts them at risk. Instead, wait at least half an hour or chew sugarless gum to help remove harmful sugar and acid. When you do brush, it doesn’t need to be for five to eight minutes. Two to three minutes is plenty.

Knowing how to care for your teeth and gums can be confusing. One of the best ways to get the answers to your oral hygiene questions is to speak with your Century City cosmetic dentist.