It’s often hard to resist DIY hacks — especially those that are cheaper, natural alternatives that do the trick without breaking the bank. It’s crucial to be careful of some of the remedies that may promise certain fixes but can wind up causing more damage, particularly when it comes to your dental health. We’ve compiled 5 dental fads to avoid in order to protect your teeth. Let’s take a look!
1. Lemon Juice
Many people mix lemon juice with baking soda and use this concoction to brighten their teeth. But this fad is worth avoiding. The acidity in lemon juice causes your enamel to wear down, ultimately resulting in your teeth becoming more sensitive and prone to stains.
2. Charcoal
Activated charcoal is said to remove superficial teeth stains due to its abrasive consistency. However, this abrasiveness can actually lead to enamel erosion, a breakdown of the first line of defense for your teeth against chemicals and bacteria. More importantly, once you lose your enamel, it will never grow back again. So while activated charcoal can sound promising, it has the potential to cause permanent damage and an even bigger headache.
3. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient often found in whitening products. But when used as a rinse, especially undiluted, it can cause damage to your gums. For safer alternative solutions, please consult with a dentist.
4. Fluoride-Free
Critics claim that fluoride disturbs hormones, fostering chronic health problems like dementia and diabetes. This concern has resulted in a surge of fluoride-free toothpaste. However, fluoride in toothpaste is the key component to preventing tooth decay, and without it, our teeth are more vulnerable to cavity-forming acids. Studies have shown that the small amount of fluoride toothpaste used in a day is of great benefit to our oral health and causes no harmful side effects to our general wellness.
5. Oil Pulling
An ancient practice dating back to thousands of years, oil pulling involves swishing coconut or sesame oil around your mouth for up to 20 minutes. Proponents claim it improves bad breath and discolored teeth. But despite its popularity, oil pulling has not been proven to be a replacement treatment for these oral concerns. Additionally, it is currently not recommended by the American Dental Association.
Let Us Care for Your Teeth!
If you’re facing dental issues like yellow teeth or irritated gums, we strongly recommend that you visit our dental office, where you can get an accurate evaluation of the problems and receive safe, effective treatments. If you’d like to make an appointment with us or learn about our professional teeth whitening services, our friendly team at Paradigm Dental Austin TX would love to hear from you. Contact us today!