When it comes to the internet, all of the information you could ever hope for is at your fingertips. From clothing to food, social media makes it easy to keep up with the trends. Unfortunately, not all of the fads that you read about online are as good for you as you may think. In fact, some of the ones related to your oral health may end up doing more harm than good. Read on to learn about three popular dental trends that are bad for your teeth and should be avoided.
Trend #1: DIY Whitening
If your smile is stained or discolored, this can make it difficult to feel confident in your not-so-pearly whites. Though dentists offer professional whitening services that are safe and effective, some people opt to try unsafe at-home methods instead. A few teeth whitening methods that have become popular online include:
- Lemon juice – The juice from lemons is highly acidic, which means that using it to whiten your teeth can lead to enamel erosion. This makes you more likely to develop tooth decay.
- Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide – Hydrogen peroxide can cause irritation to the gums as well as soften one’s tooth enamel. Baking soda is abrasive, which means that it can damage your enamel and raise your risk of cavities.
- Charcoal – Activated charcoal is too abrasive for the teeth and can damage the protective enamel. It may also result in even more staining.
Trend #2: Filing Down Your Teeth
A dental trend calls the “Veneers Check” became popular on TikTok in late 2020. Dentists on the platform chimed in to explain why the trend is dangerous. One reason is because the teeth shown in the videos for this trend were in line with dental crown preparation, not veneers. Another reason is because the appearance of the prepared teeth paired with misinformation about the procedure may scare people away.
Dentists also warned that both veneers and dental crowns require permanent alterations to the teeth. Having one of these treatments done to improve the look of your teeth without needing it may end up being extremely harmful to your smile and can raise your risk of cavities, increased dental sensitivity, and discoloration.
Trend #3: Nail-Glue Vampire Fangs
Another TikTok trend that became popular showed some users of the platform going to new extremes to celebrate Halloween. They did this by attaching costume vampire fangs to their teeth with nail adhesive. Introducing chemicals into your mouth that aren’t meant to be there can lead to oral health issues. Nail adhesive can also strip away your tooth enamel and damage your gums.
As you can see, there are several popular dental trends that are bad for your teeth. Make sure to consult your dentist for oral health advice to prevent dental damage and keep your smile looking its best!
About the Practice
D’Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry takes pride in caring for patients in the Hamden area in a way that makes them feel comfortable and respected. If you have issues with how your smile looks, they offer a range of cosmetic treatments that can help. They can also give you information on popular dental trends that are bad for your teeth so you can maintain a healthy, beautiful beam. Visit D’Andrea and Pantera Family & Cosmetic Dentistry’s website or call their office at (203) 288-0951 for more information or to schedule an appointment.
