The past few years have seen numerous health trends emerge on social media, promoted by celebrities and so-called health “gurus.” While some of these trends are harmless, others may wind up doing more harm than good. In today’s post, our South Park dentist explains why, when it comes to your teeth, you’re always better off following tips from a licensed dental professional than from a model or celebrity.
Lemon “Detox” Recipes
Instagram is chock-full of influencers boosting various “detox” juices, water infusions and smoothies that all claim to remove “toxins” from the body. But beware of any recipe that advises you to suck on a lime, or drink a glass of lemon juice: both of these highly acidic substances can damage tooth enamel, and neither can really “detox” the body from unwanted substances (only the liver and kidneys can do that).
Apple Cider Vinegar
Some “influencers” promote drinking a teaspoon of pure apple cider vinegar, or a glass of vinegar mixed with water, at least once a day to realize various health benefits. However, just as with citrus fruits, vinegar is extremely acidic and can erode the enamel over time. In fact, this exact circumstance has actually occurred: a 2012 case study found that the erosive wear in a young woman’s teeth was a result of consuming a glass of apple cider vinegar water once a day. If you want to achieve better health, you’re better off ingesting more water, fruits, and vegetables.
Oil Pulling
Oil pulling is the practice of swishing oil, usually coconut oil, around the mouth for up to 20 in order to “pull” bad tooth bacteria off the teeth. Some also believe that the oil pulls toxins out of the body. However, as we mentioned earlier, only the kidneys and liver can remove toxins from the body. As for oral bacteria, while oil pulling probably doesn’t do any harm, it is no more effective than swishing anything around the mouth for 20 minutes would be, including water or mouthwash. And, as with water and mouthwash, merely swishing is not enough to remove bacteria; ordinary brushing and flossing are the best methods we know of.
Charcoal Toothpaste
Toothpaste that contains activated charcoal is another trend that has emerged in recent years. Some charcoal toothpaste proponents say that it whitens the teeth even better than traditional whitening methods, such as baking soda. However, to date there have been no studies which confirm this. What is likely is that, like baking soda and other abrasive substances, the charcoal scours away surface stains, and after that, the tooth’s enamel layer. While users will initially see whiter teeth, eventually, the enamel will become thinner and more sensitive as it wears away. The teeth may even begin to look yellow as the naturally yellowish dentin beneath the enamel starts to show through.
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