Home Dental Fads to Avoid

At-home dental care isn’t just limited to brushing and flossing your teeth. There are plenty of natural solutions that people look for to combat bad breath, stained teeth, and plaque removal at home. But not all dental trends are worth following. Here are a few popular routines that are actually damaging to your teeth.

Charcoal

Brushing with activated charcoal has become a popular way to potentially whiten teeth, but you shouldn’t do it often. Not only is activated charcoal abrasive and damaging to your enamel, but you also have to be very careful that you’re buying the right product. Non-activated charcoal is toxic!

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is an ancient practice during which you swish coconut, sunflower, or sesame oil around your mouth for 20 minutes straight. It supposedly cleans and whitens your teeth and freshens your breath. But it isn’t a proper substitute for traditional brushing and flossing, which are much more effective at cleaning your teeth and gums.

Brushing with Lemon Juice

A common toothpaste hack is to mix lemon juice with baking soda to whiten teeth, but exposing your teeth to such strong acid actually eats away at your enamel and can make your teeth prone to stains.

Rinsing with Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is an ingredient found in whitening products, but that doesn’t mean you should use it as a rinse. Used alone, it can be very damaging to your teeth and gums.

Tooth Gems

Some people want to adorn their teeth with jewels to look bright and colorful, but the aftereffects aren’t pretty. They usually require strong and damaging adhesives which can destroy your teeth. It’s best to avoid any unnecessary adornments on your teeth and leave them be, no matter how tempting it may be to decorate them.

With proper preventive and cosmetic care, you won’t have to follow any dental fads to get the healthy, white smile you desire. We offer a variety of services at Riverstone Dental Care to suit your and your family’s needs without any risk to your oral health. Contact us to learn more!

Categorised in: General Dental