Simply Smile Dental Cleaning in Burnaby—5 Gimmicky Dental Trends to Avoid

As an office specializing in teeth whitening and dental cleaning in Burnaby, we love educating people about the best ways to care for their teeth. We know those TikTok trends can be fun. Tons of viral beauty trends promise a whiter, healthier smile. However, while some appear to work—at least on the surface, you could be doing irreversible damage to your teeth and gums. As a team of dental hygienists, we’ve got the top three dental trends to avoid right here.

Activated Charcoal

For a while, activated charcoal seemed to be everywhere. It’s even gained some acclaim for teeth whitening. At a glance, it appears to work whitening and brightening teeth. The problem is that over time, activated charcoal can wear through teeth enamel. Research from the Journal of Physics also found that brushing with activated charcoal increases the roughness of tooth enamel. This makes it easier for bacteria to stick to the surface, leading to more significant plaque accumulation, cavities, and even periodontal disease.

Rinsing with Hydrogen Peroxide

This home treatment can supposedly be used to whiten teeth and reduce gum inflammation. There’s even some buzz it’s good for a sore throat. Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant, so claims are not totally far-fetched. The problem is that rinsing and gargling with hydrogen peroxide irritates the gums—and it’s dangerous if swallowed.

Whitening Teeth with a Magic Eraser

Using a whitening sponge to brighten teeth seems a bit strange, but it’s a trend. Unfortunately, these eraser-type sponges are made from Melamine foam, which contains abrasive chemicals when wet. They damage enamel and should not be used on your teeth—or any other part of your body!

Using Baking Soda to Whiten Teeth

This one has actually been around for a long time. Baking soda contains a mild abrasive that helps remove stains from the surface of your teeth. In addition, baking soda is alkaline and salty, which helps lighten acid-based food stains. However, many dental professionals feel it’s too abrasive and can harm enamel. Try toothpaste with baking soda as an ingredient, rather than just baking soda and a brush.

Whitening Teeth with Lemon Juice

Lemon juice and other citrus-based solutions are found in many natural solutions for tooth discoloration. Just remember–citrus fruits are acidic. These acids can erode the protective outer layer that protects the underlying dentin and pulp. Although acidic fruits are safe to eat, they shouldn’t have prolonged exposure to your teeth.