These Are 5 Habits Everyone Thinks Are Useful But Are Actually Bad.

Main image via Laser Dentist

There are a couple of things our parents teach us to do while we’re young, like brushing our teeth after meals for example. We’ve been doing these things for so long, without realising that these habits can actually harm us in the long run.

Here are five things that everyone does that are actually bad habits.

#1 Cleaning our ears

Many of us use cotton q-tips to clean the inside of our ears. Did you know that we don’t have to clean our ears at all actually? Ear wax naturally forms around the opening of our ear and is naturally pushed out of our ears. So all we need to do is just clean the outer area of the ear.

#2 Standing far away from the microwave

Why wouldn’t this be a bad habit right? I mean, microwaves emit all sorts of radioactive waves. Don’t they? That’s how they heat up the food, right? Well, microwaves do emit micro-waves to heat up food. But the appliance is built in with something called a Faraday cage – which works to keep all those waves inside the microwave. So, the microwave essentially won’t affect you as long as you aren’t inside it while it’s switched on.

#3 Flushing the toilet

Everyone knows you need to flush the toilet after using it. But we should flush the toilet with the toilet seat covered. Leaving it uncovered allows toilet water mist to spray up into the air of your bathroom, landing onto anything within a 2m radius. That includes your toothbrush sitting next to your sink guys. Eww..

#4 Washing all your fresh produce

Contrary to popular belief, washing your raw chicken before you cook it can increase your risk of food poisoning from campylobacter bacteria. You only need to wash fruits and veggies. Don’t ever wash your meats OK?

#5 Cleaning your nose

OK lets be real. Everyone picks their nose right? I mean, how else are you supposed to get those pesky, uncomfortable boogers out? Well, you should really use water. Cup a handful of water under the tap and gently suck a little up your nose, then blow the water back out. Using your finger to clean your nose transfers all kinds of bacteria from your hands into your nose.

#6 Brushing your teeth after meals

Everyone brushes their teeth every day. At least once in the morning and once more before bed. But you should never brush your teeth directly after a meal. After you eat, the acids from your food weakens the protective enamel on your teeth. Brushing during this time can actually damage the enamel. So, it’s best to wait at least an hour before you brush.