With winter approaching and cold and flu infections on the rise, many are looking for tips and tricks to help keep viruses away.
According to Russia Today, while some of the suggested tricks may be helpful in boosting our immune systems, there are worrying trends that are negatively impacting our teeth.
Dentist Payal Bhalla explains the impact of certain ‘health fads’ on teeth and what we can do about it.
Apple cider vinegar
“Apple cider vinegar potions have become very popular in recent years, with celebrities and influencers citing it for having detoxifying properties and aiding in weight loss,” says Dr. Payal, clinical director at Quest Dental. It may offer some benefits for your health, but it could be bad for your teeth, especially if you drink it every day.”
Vinegar is very acidic and can eat away at tooth enamel very quickly, therefore exposing the yellow layer of dentin underneath. Not only is this extremely damaging to your teeth because enamel is essential for healthy teeth, but it will also make them look yellow.”
Oil shot
Oil pulling is an ancient Ayurvedic (in India) practice of gargling with coconut oil, olive oil, or sesame oil.
“Although some experts have noted many health benefits of oil pulling, there is no proven evidence that the practice is good for your teeth. In fact, some experts argue that it can exacerbate conditions such as gum disease or tooth decay,” explains Payal .
Read also: “Take care of your tongue” .. 10 necessary tips to maintain the health of your teeth
Lemonade
Payal points out, “Although drinking lemon water every morning has many detoxifying properties in the digestive system, this daily practice can have a significant impact on your teeth. Regularly drinking lemon water can cause enamel erosion or tooth decay due to high content of the acid in citrus fruits.Not only that, excessive alcohol intake can also lead to heartburn, nausea, headaches, and other symptoms of GERD.
age
As long as it’s part of a healthy, balanced diet, drinking some fruit juice can help keep your body healthy, but for your teeth, Payal says, “When you drink large amounts of juice over a long period of time, it can have a huge impact. ” “On the teeth and cause long-term damage. The high sugar content that results from these juices after drinking them daily can erode the tooth enamel and lead to tooth decay. The bacteria that remain on the teeth after drinking the juice can irritate the gums and can eventually lead to gum disease.” .
“alternative” milk.
Many people have switched from dairy milks to “alternative” milks, such as oat, soy and almond milks, and while there are benefits to the switch, especially for those who are lactose intolerant, there is some harm as well. says Payal: “Those who drink dairy-free milk may be deficient in calcium and other nutrients that are good for the mouth, and a lack of calcium can put you at risk for tooth decay and gum disease.
Additionally, it has been observed that some types of non-dairy milk such as soy milk can cause oral bacteria to produce six times more dairy acid, which is concerning because more acid means a higher chance of enamel erosion and tooth decay.
Charcoal toothpaste
“Charcoal toothpaste has become popular thanks to social media platforms, such as TikTok and Instagram,” says Payal, “but dentists are still skeptical and do not recommend replacing regular fluoride toothpaste with charcoal toothpaste.”
More research is needed into the long-term effects of this type of toothpaste, but one thing that has been noted is that it is a very abrasive material, and while it helps remove surface stains, it is very aggressive, so it could be stripping away. slowly the enamel of your teeth. .
