Revealed: The Five Dental Trends That Are Troubling Your Teeth

Dentists say you should avoid these trends if you are looking to take care of your oral health. Photo / Getty Images

Top dentists have shown how fashionable fads ravage people’s teeth.

Although Gisele Bündchen and the Hemsley sisters swear to start each morning with a refreshing glass of hot water and lemon, Dr cautions making them even darker.

While critics associate fluoride with everything from dementia to diabetes, experts argue that numerous studies show the mineral does not harm people’s health, with freeform varieties missing “the most important protective ingredient,” reports the Daily Mail.

Dr. Atkins also describes the ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling, which involves waving coconut oil around the mouth, as a “waste of time”.

Regarding brushing your teeth with charcoal or apple cider vinegar, both Dr. Atkins and Dr. Eskander added that the “natural remedies” could do more harm than good, as their acidic, abrasive consistencies can remove surface stains, but can also permanently damage tooth enamel.

Here Dr. Atkins and Dr. Eskander exclusive on how to dodge dental fads and take the best care of your teeth.

Fluoride-free toothpaste

US health authorities have cited water fluoridation as “One of the Top 10 Public Health Achievements of the 20th Century”.

However, critics claim that the mineral disrupts hormones, leading to chronic health problems like bone disease, dementia, and diabetes, leading to a recent surge in fluoride-free alternatives.

Dr. Eskander told MailOnline: “Fluoride is the main protective ingredient in toothpaste. It prevents tooth decay and counteracts the effects of tooth decay, especially if you eat a lot of sweets or fruit. “

Fluoride toothpastes work by depositing the mineral in tooth enamel that is broken down by acidic foods. This makes the teeth more resistant to such foods and prevents tooth decay.

However, critics add that toothpaste packages containing fluoride often warn against swallowing the product and using only a pea-sized amount, as the thin mucous membranes in the mouth allow the ingredients to be absorbed into the body.

According to Dr. Eskander: “You would have to consume a large amount to have a toxic effect.”

While fluoride can cause yellow streaks in children’s teeth, Dr. Atkins adds that this is not harmful and is usually only obvious to dentists.

He told MailOnline, “There have been countless reports and peer-reviewed research on fluoride and the scientific conclusion is that fluoride toothpaste is of great benefit to our oral cavity and has no harmful side effects on general health.

“There are fluoride-free toothpastes. Some can contain antibacterial agents, freshen breath, and when abrasive they can remove surface discoloration.

“Unfortunately, fluoride-free toothpaste doesn’t protect your teeth from tooth decay.”

Hot water and lemon drink

Lemon water is good for your health, but not your teeth - try sipping through a straw to avoid damaging your teeth.  Photo / Getty ImagesLemon water is good for your health, but not your teeth – try using a straw to avoid damaging your teeth. Photo / Getty Images

Hot water and lemon are said to be rich in vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system and stimulates bile production to aid digestion.

However, experts warn that consuming the trendy drink can cause serious tooth damage.

Dr. Atkins said, “Lemon in hot water can be a great way to get some vitamin C in, but it can devastate your teeth.

“I recently had a patient who never had serious oral health problems. They visited me regularly for checks and I sent them away with a clean health certificate every time.

“Then during a visit she complained that she had a constant and very painful sensitivity to hot and cold things.

“I asked her if she had made any changes to her routine and diet lately and then it was all revealed. She said that she recently changed her morning routine to use a glass of hot water with lemon juice in it when she read that it was good for her.

“While it can be good for other parts of our health, lemon juice, when drunk in this way, is enormously dangerous to our mouths. If you drink it all day, it means the acid is attacking our teeth every day.”

Lemon is extremely acidic, which weakens and effectively dissolves tooth enamel, explains Dr. Eskander.

This can even lead to discoloration as the harder substance shows through under the enamel, which Dr. Atkins also caused tenderness and pain.

If people still choose to drink hot water and lemon, Dr. Eskander to do this through a straw to prevent the surface of the teeth from being hit by the liquid. Chewing sugar-free gum afterwards is also a good idea, as it stimulates saliva, which neutralizes acids, she adds.

Dr. Eskander also advises people never to brush their teeth after drinking hot water and lemon, as this will remove tooth enamel while it’s soft. Instead, people should brush their teeth before breakfast to create a protective layer of fluoride against acidic foods.

Oil pulling

The ancient Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling is believed to be more than 3,000 years old and consists of rinsing a tablespoon of coconut or sesame oil around your mouth for up to 20 minutes before spitting it out.

Proponents claim that the oils “antibiotic and antiviral properties” whiten and clean teeth.

Dr. However, Atkins argues, “Pulling coconut oil has no scientific evidence that it is in any way beneficial for oral health. It is ineffective and ultimately a waste of time.”

Dr. Eskander adds oil, is a lubricant, so it can temporarily remove food debris and surface stains, but does not penetrate teeth to make them whiter.

She said, “It won’t hurt, but it won’t make a Hollywood smile.”

Only bleaching with peroxide penetrates the teeth and breaks down discoloration.

Dr. Eskander adds that this should only be done by dentists who, unlike DIY kits, make bespoke spoons for the mouth and ensure that peroxide doesn’t damage the gums and cause blistering.

Charcoal toothpaste

Charcoal removes stains, but doesn't protect us from tooth decay.  Photo / Getty ImagesCharcoal removes stains, but doesn’t protect us from tooth decay. Photo / Getty Images

Despite the recent surge in charcoal toothpastes on the market, Dr. Atkins that they could do more harm than good.

He said, “There is insufficient data to demonstrate the safety and efficacy claims of activated charcoal and activated charcoal oral health products. The claims of many of these products related to teeth whitening have not been verified. “

Proponents argue that the porous structure of charcoal gives it detoxifying properties, and hospitals often use it to treat various types of poisoning and overdosing.

Although charcoal toothpastes can remove superficial stains due to their abrasive consistency, says Dr. Atkins that this can permanently damage tooth enamel.

He added, “Most importantly, many charcoal toothpastes on the market do not contain enough fluoride to adequately protect us from tooth decay, even when used for two minutes twice a day.”

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar has been praised for helping digestion, helping with weight loss, and making hair shinier, with some even brushing their teeth with this highly acidic substance.

Although the vinegar’s abrasiveness can help remove plaque and stains caused by red wine, coffee, and smoking, Dr. Eskander believes that it could also severely damage the enamel and even make the teeth more yellow.

She said: “Damage to enamel is irreversible.

“The layer underneath, the so-called dentin, becomes more visible.

“Dentin is naturally yellowish, which means you likely have teeth that are more yellow or blotchy than they were when you started out.”

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