Trendy Dental Fads

TRENDY DENTAL FADS

There are plenty of  dental  fads out there…mostly natural solutions touted to combat  bad breath, stained  teeth , and plaque removal at home. But not all are worth following…. ⠀

CHARCOAL 

Brushing with activated charcoal has become a popular way to potentially whiten teeth BUT it can be abrasive and damaging to your tooth enamel. And don’t forget, if you pick up the wrong item, Non-activated charcoal is toxic! 

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OIL PULLING

An ancient practice during which you swish coconut, sunflower, or sesame oil around in your mouth for 20 minutes STRAIGHT. It supposedly cleans and whitens your teeth and freshens your breath. But it isn’t a proper substitute for traditional  brushing and  flossing  – which are much more effective at cleaning your teeth and gums.

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BRUSHING WITH LEMON JUICE (this one kinda makes us cringe) 

A common toothpaste hack is to mix lemon juice with baking soda to whiten teeth, but exposing your teeth to such strong acid actually eats away at  enamel and can make your teeth MORE PRONE to STAINS and sensitivity. Same goes for starting your day with a glass of warm water and lemon. This drink effectively dissolves your teeth due to that extremely acidic nature of lemon.  

BRUSHING WITH A FLUORIDE FREE TOOTHPASTE 

Fluoridation has been called one of the top 10 public health achievements of the 20th century. Fluoride is the main protective ingredient in toothpaste. It prevents decay and counteracts the effects of decay forming, particularly if you eat a lot of sweets or fruit.

Fluoride toothpastes work by depositing the mineral in enamel, which is broken down by acidic foods. This makes teeth more resistant to such foods and prevents decay. While there may be some fluoride free toothpastes out there, a fluoride-free toothpaste won’t protect your teeth from tooth decay.  

RINSING WITH HYDROGEN PEROXIDE

Hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient found in whitening products, but that doesn’t mean you should use it as a rinse. Used alone, it can be very damaging to your teeth and gums.

While dental fads may seem like a “quick fix” for stained teeth, remember that in the long run you could be doing more damage than good. Please just brush twice a day with  toothpaste  – floss daily and rinse if desired with an alcohol free mouthwash. Maintain regularly scheduled dental appointments…your teeth will thank you!