Trends can be fun, and sometimes even useful. However, some dental trends can cause damage to your teeth. Some of these trends have been around for many years, while some are newer. In general, it\'s best to consult with your dentist before trying any trend. Lemon water: That delicious tart flavor in your lemon water is, as we all know, acid. This acid will wear down enamel, which is the outer layer of your tooth. When the enamel wears down it can expose the middle layer of tooth, dentin, which is yellow. This type of yellow does not whiten with traditional whitening methods. When your enamel is weak it is also much easier to get cavities. Your teeth will also become sensitive because enamel protects our teeth from sensations.
Charcoal toothpaste: Charcoal is abrasive and will wear down the top layer of your teeth. At first, this will make your teeth look whiter. But if you continue to use it, charcoal toothpaste will wear away the enamel, which is white, and expose the dentin, which is yellow. As mentioned above, this will also cause your teeth to become more sensitive. There is no form of charcoal that is okay to use in a toothpaste. Charcoal is also not safe to use when it is infused in toothbrush bristles or in floss. There is nothing wrong with rinsing your mouth with a charcoal mouth rinse, because it is not being rubbed against your teeth. However, there is no evidence that charcoal mouth rinses have any benefits.
Fluoride-free toothpaste: Fluoride is a naturally occurring mineral found in groundwater. When fluoride comes in contact with teeth, it strengthens the enamel, which makes teeth less sensitive and less likely to develop cavities. If you aren’t using a toothpaste that has fluoride, and you aren’t drinking tap water, then you are missing out on easy ways to keep your teeth healthy. If you absolutely will not use products with fluoride then consider using toothpaste with nano-hydroxyapatite. This is a newer product that is less toxic (although fluoride is only toxic if you swallow it in large quantities); however, their isn’t enough research to decide if it is as effective as Fluoride or not.
Oil Pulling: Oil pulling is a very old ayurvedic practice of swishing with coconut oil, sesame oil, or sunflower oil for five to twenty minutes. Studies have shown that the practice of oil pulling can be as effective as swishing with chlorhexidine, which is a prescription mouth rinse used to treat gum disease. There is nothing inherently wrong with oil pulling. The issue with it is that many people mistakenly believe that oil pulling is a substitute for brushing, flossing, and regular dental cleanings. It is also very difficult to rinse for the required amount of time. Spitting oil down the drain is also going to clog up your drain, which is an unfortunate byproduct.
Hydrogen Peroxide: It is easy to believe that using hydrogen peroxide is safe for your mouth because so many dental products contain hydrogen peroxide. Your dentist might even use hydrogen peroxide in their office. However, these products contain highly regulated amounts of hydrogen peroxide. The concentration will be safe enough to use while still being effective. When hydrogen peroxide is used on its own, it can damage your teeth and burn your gums.
Teeth Filing with Nail File: This is the newest fad of the bunch and has been seen on Tik Tok. (Side note: if you find dental advice on Tik Tok, you should probably avoid it.) People file their teeth down in order to remove natural ridges called mamelons, or to even out the proportions of the teeth. Removing enamel, as we discussed above, can make your teeth more sensitive. Filing the teeth down can cause fractures in the enamel and can also make the teeth very sharp, which will cut the tongue and lips. Aside from the dangers of filing your own teeth, you can also ruin the esthetics of your smile. Our teeth are not meant to be the same height. In fact, this makes your smile look older. Our front teeth are meant to be slightly longer than the ones next to it.
By Polished Dental
May 26, 2021