How to protect your oral health without wasting your time

There’s a lot of dental information on the internet and most of the time this is a good thing. It means that you if you ever have an oral health problem, you can always find information and solutions. However, just because the information is online, doesn’t mean that it’s always true. There are a lot of dental fads out there that will harm rather than help your dental health. To help you avoid useless and even dangerous advice, here are some fads that you should just scroll past.

1. Apple Cider Vinegar

This may be a good home remedy for certain health issues, but it’s really bad for your teeth. Apple cider vinegar is extremely acidic, which means that it might remove the stains from your teeth as promised. But it will also wear away the enamel, which will create all new problems and could even result in tooth loss.

2. Activated Charcoal

You’ve probably seen the YouTube videos of people using activated charcoal and charcoal toothpastes to make their teeth pearly white. And in a way they’re right. Charcoal will whiten your teeth. However, it will also strip the enamel away which can cause pain, discomfort, and tooth loss. So just don’t. If you’re concerned about the colour of your teeth, it’s far more effective and safer to have a whitening treatment at your dentist.

3. Oil Pulling

This is often touted as a better alternative to brushing and flossing. These claims are completely untrue. Oil pulling may freshen your breath and clean your teeth a little, but not as much as regular brushing and flossing. And if you substitute oil pulling for your regular oral health habits, you’ll be at the dentist before you know it for a toothache, tooth cavity, or something worse.

4. Lemon and Baking Soda

This treatment actually makes a little bit of sense. Baking powder is an ingredient in a lot of toothpastes and lemon boosts its whitening effects. But the reality is a little different. Lemon juice is strongly acidic and will wear away the enamel. And once that’s gone, you can’t get it back. Also, don’t believe anyone who says that baking soda neutralises the acid in the lemon juice, because there’s just no evidence to prove that.

5. Fluoride-free Toothpaste

In the 1900s, dentists found that fluoride could help prevent tooth decay. It also helps fight infections and plays a role in mineralisation, the process that keeps your bones and teeth strong. As a result, it was added to toothpastes and even to water in some areas. However, lately there has been a backlash against this protective measure. There are some health risks associated with high levels of fluoride. But as long as you aren’t drinking pure fluoride by the glass, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll take in close to enough to damage your health. So, give your teeth that extra boost and keep using your fluoride toothpaste. Your smile will thank you!