Oral Fads to Steer Clear Of

Keep the bad oral hygiene habits away by steering clear of these unhealthy (yet somehow still popular) oral care trends.

Have you ever been enticed by a new weight loss fad or an overrated hairstyle? Fads come in all shapes and sizes, and not all of them are healthy. There are a few oral care fads you need to watch out for because they’ll do more harm than good to your teeth.

To fluoride or not to fluoride? The answer is always go with the fluoride.

Fluoride is a major ingredient in ADA-approved toothpaste. There have been false claims that fluoride is actually harmful to your teeth, which has paved the way for fluoride-free toothpaste.

First things first, the claims that fluoride is harmful haven’t been backed by science. On the contrary, many research studies have found substantial evidence that small amounts of fluoride builds strong teeth and improves your overall oral hygiene.

Certain fluoride-free toothpaste products market to consumers using an “all natural” approach. It’s great to go natural, but keep the fluoride in your toothpaste. Fluoride itself is a raw mineral. It’s a natural cavity fighter that has been approved by the FDA. If your toothpaste does contain fluoride (which it should!), it’s a small amount that has been approved by the ADA.

You’ve probably seen ads using black toothpaste this year. Don’t fall into the charcoal trap! Activated charcoal toothpaste may appear to whiten your teeth, but at this point, there is not any sound scientific evidence showing it’s safe to use.

Charcoal toothpaste claims to whiten teeth, which is why many people have been turning to it. The problem is that charcoal is rough and abrasive. While it may be making your teeth whiter, the charcoal could be eroding away your tooth enamel. When we lose our precious enamel, it makes our teeth more vulnerable to decay and infections. All in all, your charcoal toothpaste might be doing your mouth more harm than good.

If you still want to use charcoal toothpaste, tread lightly and keep an eye out for new research regarding its safety.

Something as natural as lemon juice may seem okay for your teeth, but it actually can lead to some serious damage.

People have been turning to lemon juice as an at-home teeth whitening solution. While it may make your pearly whites look a bit more pearly white, it’s not doing much for your oral hygiene. Lemon juice is a citric acid that causes teeth to lose calcium. Once your chompers lose calcium, it can’t be replaced.

Sometimes people will combine lemon juice with baking soda, which isn’t a good idea. Baking soda erodes tooth enamel and with the combination of calcium-removing lemon juice, this mixture is a nightmare for your teeth.

Here’s a bad habit you need to quit: stop putting off your dental checkups! Keeping up with regular dental visits is the best way to ensure that your teeth stay in tip-top shape.