Holistic Dental Trends: Healthful Or Harmful?
The internet is full of holistic dental trends such as charcoal cleansing, oil pulling, or fluoride-free toothpaste. But do they really work? Let’s find out!
All over the internet, pictures and videos of social media influencers, health gurus, and everyday folks have emerged demonstrating new and trendy ways to promote healthy living.
And while many of these fads disappear as spontaneously as they arrived, there are a some that linger and gather large followings of people who swear by their methods.
An odd subset of these trends has to do with dental and oral health. And while individuals all over the globe are claiming that these off-the-beaten-path techniques work miraculously, there are no governing regulatory bodies chiming in with their stamp of approval.
So are these seemingly incredible natural remedies safe? Let’s look at a few of the top holistic trends for dental health and see.
Top 3 Holistic Dental Trends
Here are three holistic dental trends debunked:
1. Charcoal Cleansing
Despite the wide array of dental offices serving many families across the globe, many people still prefer to manage their health and hygiene on their own in the comfort of their homes.
Common dental practice folks are encouraged to do at home by the myriad of at-home, over the counter products available to them is dental whitening.
With creams, pastes, washes, trays, and lights, folks are told that they can lighten the shade of their teeth, giving a brighter smile with fewer stains.
And while some dentists suggest these products as well, many of them are just instances of smart marketing by big corporations to gain more customers.
Lately, a big holistic whitening product is using specialized charcoal powder to remove surface stains and make teeth sparkle.
These powders sprang up all over the web and in retail stores overnight, and are simply applied with a toothbrush in the same manner as traditional toothpaste.
And while the results speak for themselves (it really does seem like the products work), none of these products are actually dentist recommended or tested.
Professionals within the dental community worry that the abrasive nature of the charcoal can damage enamel, causing more serious harm in the long run that can lead to acute sensitivity, tooth decay, and acid erosion.
2. Oil Pulling
While not new in health spheres, the current Ayurvedic practice of oil pulling is largely a reemergence of an ancient trend that many folks in the mainstream are now finding out about.
The concept is pretty simple: you take a scoop of high-quality oil, such as organic coconut oil, and swish it around in your mouth for 10-20 minutes.
It is said that this is best done first thing in the morning, even before you drink water.
In theory, the oil works as a detoxifying agent, pulling toxins out of your mouth and prohibiting them from entering your body through your throat.
It is said to whiten teeth, remove plaque, and even combat gum disease.
While dentists recognize this technique as integral to the development of modern dental hygiene practices, most believe that the same results can be achieved – with less hassle and time – through modern methods such as chewing sugar-free gums and using a mouth rinse.
3. Fluoride-Free Toothpaste
A long-standing point of contention between dental professionals and health nuts is the presence of fluoride in toothpaste.
While fluoride has, time and time again, been proven to protect teeth from decay and it is perfectly natural to the body, many folks are still hesitant to utilize it.
This fear is largely driven from a place of misunderstanding and a lack of knowledge on what fluoride is. It is a mineral that is found organically in many places in nature and the human body, such as in the teeth.
When people choose to use toothpaste that has no fluoride, they are missing out on a huge chance to protect their teeth from decay.
Utilizing fluoride-free toothpaste does nothing more than freshen your breath at the end of the day.
When all is said and done, only you can determine which practices are right for you. No two sets of teeth are quite the same and no two people have the same priorities when it comes to health.
While the choice is ultimately yours, make sure you consider the perspectives of professionals before jumping on the latest holistic dental trends.