The latest fads hitting social media come and go, but your teeth will be around for a lifetime. At least, that’s the goal!
Be cautious as the next big fad you see online may be causing more harm than good for your teeth. After all – many of these fads come from non-scientifically proven methods, not from trained dentists.
Here, Dr Joe Oliver, who has treated a wide range of high-end clientele, shares 5 dental fads that could ruin your teeth!
1: Gems – sticking gems, stickers or even LED lights to the front of your teeth might seem like an ingenious way to bedazzle your mouth for that upcoming festival, but it’s a nightmare for your enamel. Once enamel goes, it cannot be brought back because it’s not a living tissue.
2: Lemon juice – some sources advocate using lemon juice to whiten your teeth… which is a terrible idea! Lemon juice is incredibly acidic leading to tooth erosion. Tooth erosion happens when acids wear away the enamel on teeth. Enamel erosion can be caused by the following: Excessive soft drink consumption (high levels of phosphoric and citric acids) and excessive fruit drinks consumption (some acids in fruit drinks are more erosive than battery acid!.
3: Tongue and lip piercings – mouth piercings cause regular knocks to your mouth that damage your teeth. They’re also the perfect breeding place for germs and bacteria if not cleaned properly.
4: Grills – grills are decorative tooth covers, popularised by rappers and YouTubers alike. Wearing them can irritate the gums and harbour bacteria.
5: Directly applied painkillers – painkillers that are applied directly to the teeth can damage them in the long-term due to chemical burns.
