A doctor has spilled the tea on nine habits that are making your teeth appear older than they really are – including the tell-tale signs of ageing that many overlook.
Dr Mark Burhenne, an American family dentist and creator behind social media series Ask the Dentist, dished out the common mistakes many are guilty of.
One of the worst things for your teeth is mouth breathing.
‘It dries the mouth, yellows enamel, and accelerates gum disease – all of which ‘age’ the smile,’ Dr Burhenne said in his Instagram post.
The dentist with more than two decades of experience said not addressing airway issues early can cause more harm than good.
‘Undiagnosed sleep apnea or chronic mouth breathing narrows arches and causes crowding and tooth wear, making smiles collapse and age prematurely,’ he explained.
Kombucha may offer health benefits including promoting gut health through probiotics but Dr Burhenne warned against sipping on it all day long.
‘Acidic drinks (soda, lemon water and kombucha) and a processed, mineral-poor diet accelerate enamel wear and staining,’ he said, explaining how people often ignore diet and hydration.
‘Don’t sip on acidic drinks all day long, and take your electrolytes to improve saliva.’
American dentist Dr Mark Burhenne has spilled the tea on nine habits that are making your teeth look ‘old’ – including mouth breathing, using harsh whitening products and regularly sipping on acidic drinks like kombucha
He said over-bleaching or using harsh whitening products could lead to damage.
‘They strip enamel, thin the tooth, and make it translucent, which actually looks darker and older over time,’ the doctor said.
He explained how ignoring gum health can cause inflamed, receding, or ‘puffy’ gums – making even white teeth ‘look unhealthy and aged’.
The dentist said grinding and clenching, often at night, can lead to flat, chipped, or cracked teeth.
One of the common habits many do is brushing teeth too hard.
‘This wears enamel and causes gum recession – long teeth with exposed roots are one of the biggest age giveaways – it’s where the phrase ‘long in the tooth’ comes from,’ he said.
He urged everyone to avoid using alcohol-based mouthwash every day.
‘It kills the good, protective bacteria, dries the mouth, and makes stains set in faster,’ he said.
Although we know we should brush our teeth twice a day, Dr Burhenne pointed out that many people still skip regular cleanings.
‘Plaque and tartar buildup discolour teeth and drag down gumlines, creating that ‘aged smile’ look,’ Dr Burhenne said.
His advice comes just weeks after he revealed the hidden bedtime habits that could be quietly destroying your health.
The dentist with more than two decades of experience said not addressing airway issues early can cause more harm than good
Dr Burhenne said brushing too hard wears enamel and causes gum recession – long teeth with exposed roots are one of the biggest age giveaways (stock image)
He broke down why seemingly harmless night-time behaviours like mouth breathing and snoring are actually major red flags.
The California-based dental expert has spent 20 years helping people sleep and breathe better, and said most of us are completely unaware of how much damage we’re doing overnight.
‘If you wake up with a dry mouth, you’re not just thirsty – you’re mouth breathing all night,’ he warned.
‘That means more cavities, bad breath, and way less oxygen to your brain. Tape your mouth. Train your nose. It will change your life.’
According to experts, mouth breathing during sleep doesn’t just make you wake up groggy, it dries out saliva, which plays a crucial role in protecting teeth against decay and gum disease.
It can also reduce oxygen flow, which in turn affects energy levels, concentration and heart health.
And if you grind your teeth in your sleep, Dr Burhenne said stress may not be to blame.
‘Grinding your teeth at night isn’t just stress, it’s your airway trying to stay open. Stop wearing down your enamel and start fixing the root cause: your sleep and breathing,’ he explained.
Meanwhile, snoring is one of the most commonly ignored warning signs.
‘It’s your body begging for help, [so] treat it now, or you’re fast-tracking high blood pressure, brain fog, and heart issues,’ he said.
