It’s a morning routine familiar for many of us: Get that mouth clean immediately after breakfast by using a harsh toothpaste applied by an abrasive toothbrush, followed by a rinse with a mouthwash so strong it makes you wince.
Dr. Kami Hoss winces, too, when he hears patients describe these habits.
They’re some of the reasons why so many people have poor oral health, which in turn affects all other aspects of their health, from physical to mental, the dentist writes in his book, “If Your Mouth Could Talk: An In-Depth Guide to Oral Health and Its Impact on Your Entire Life.”
“Statistically, our mouths are incredibly unhealthy right now as a society. With all these advancements in science and technology and medicine, you would think at this point dentists wouldn’t have anything to do,” Hoss, who is the co-founder of The Super Dentists in San Diego, California, told TODAY.