The internet can be a wonderful source of information, but it can just easily spread misconceptions as well. Often, health and beauty websites are huge culprits as they promote trendy ways to whiten your teeth, lose weight, or clear your skin. While some of these fads are harmless, many of them can actually harm your dental health if you’re not careful. Read on as a dentist in Lawrenceville, GA shares five popular trends that can hurt your teeth.
1. Lemon Juice Cleanse
Many people have tried to detox and lose weight quickly with the Master Cleanse, which involves consuming nothing but lemon juice for 10 days. Although this might sound healthy at first, keep in mind that lemon juice is not only sugary, but also highly acidic. Coating your teeth in it all day every day can wear down the enamel, leaving you at risk for decay and sensitivity.
Another dental health consequence of the Master Cleanse is that you don’t eat solid foods at all. Chewing causes the mouth to produce saliva, which rinses away the food debris and bacteria that can lead to cavities. By only drinking liquids, you produce less saliva, so your teeth are more vulnerable to damage.
2. Kombucha
While kombucha has recently risen in popularity, people have actually been drinking it for over 2,000 years. Multiple health benefits have been attributed to kombucha, including weight loss, prevention of cancer and arthritis, and improved digestion. Like lemon juice, though, kombucha is highly acidic and sugary. Drinking it can erode tooth enamel and feed the cavity-causing bacteria in the mouth.
3. Apple Cider Vinegar
Of the items in this list, apple cider vinegar is probably viewed as the most versatile among fans. Whether from drinking it or gargling it, people have claimed that apple cider vinegar can cure hiccups, boost energy, soothe an upset stomach or sore throat, lower cholesterol, and help with weight loss. As you may have guessed, though, apple cider vinegar has a high acid content that can weaken the teeth.
4. Sparkling Water
People attempting to quit drinking soda often switch to sparkling water. It’s certainly healthier than soda, as it contains no sugar. However, it’s still acidic. Worse, sparkling water is often flavored with lemon, lime, or orange, all of which increase the acidity even further. In fact, flavored sparkling water can easily fall into the same pH range as many sodas.
5. Activated Charcoal
Several toothpastes and other oral hygiene products with activated charcoal have seen a growth in popularity recently. This substance has been touted as being able to remove stains from teeth, but the American Dental Association has found no proof of its effectiveness. They also found that activated charcoal may actually be unsafe, as it’s abrasive to the enamel.
Just because something is popular doesn’t necessarily mean it’s healthy. If you have any questions about how a particular trend affects your teeth, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist in Lawrenceville!
About the Authors
At Transforming Smiles, Dr. Bruce E. Carter has been serving the dental needs of families in the Lawrenceville, GA community since 1985. He and Dr. Shariq Zafrani are proud to offer comprehensive dental care for patients of all ages and arm them with the knowledge to maintain healthy smiles between visits. For more advice on how certain trends impact your teeth, reach out to the practice today by calling 770-995-7616.