The type of toothbrush bristles you use every day can have a negative impact on your oral health.

Dental hygienists know a thing or two about keeping teeth healthy. After all, they spend most of their days looking into people’s mouths and seeing the damage that certain habits can do.

Indeed, many common behaviours can cause or worsen dental issues like cavities and gum disease and generally negate the benefits of good oral hygiene. And the consequences of overlooking our oral health go beyond just our mouths.

“Your oral health is connected to everything from heart disease to diabetes, pregnancy complications and cognitive health,” registered dental hygienist Iman Zayed told HuffPost. “Taking care of your smile isn’t just cosmetic ― it’s a crucial investment in your overall well-being.”

Below, Zayed and other dental hygienists share the tooth-damaging habits and behaviours that they advise against and would never, ever do themselves.

They don’t brush their teeth immediately after eating or drinking.

“I never brush my teeth right after eating or drinking because I would be brushing in an acidic environment, which can damage my teeth,” said Kari Carter-Cherelus, a registered dental hygienist. “I wait thirty minutes when the pH in my mouth has returned to an alkaline state.”

For the same reason, Brittany Glauz never brushes immediately after breakfast and instead opts to do it beforehand.

“Brushing before eating breakfast helps protect your teeth from acid attacks and plaque buildup,” said Glauz, a registered dental hygienist in alternative practice. “Brushing as soon as you wake up removes this harmful bacteria that has built up overnight. If you brush after breakfast, especially after consuming acidic foods like fruit, juice or coffee, you risk brushing the acidic pH all over, which can lead to erosion over time.”

She recommended rinsing your mouth with water or chewing xylitol gum after your meal if you want a fresher feel.

“I don’t brush immediately after drinking something acidic, like lemon water or soda,” said registered dental hygienist and coach Amber Auger. “I wait at least 30 minutes so my enamel has time to reharden before brushing. Brushing too soon can actually wear down the enamel when it’s at its weakest.”

They don’t chew ice.

“I would never chew on ice,” said Allison Cuevas, founder of The Bright Bite Dental Hygiene Services. “It might seem harmless, but chewing ice can chip or crack enamel, leading to painful fractures or sensitivity over time.”

It’s not just the firmness of the ice that’s an issue ― there’s also the cold temperature to consider. If you have fillings, a sudden temperature change can cause them to contract or expand at different rates than the tooth, which may weaken the bonds.

They don’t use a toothbrush with hard bristles.

“I never use hard bristle toothbrushes,” Glauz said. “Over time, brushing too aggressively with stiff bristles can damage your gums and enamel. I always recommend using a soft or extra-soft toothbrush and focusing on gentle, effective technique. It’s more about the technique not the stiffness of........

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