THE quest for pearly white teeth is endeavored by many.
And as dental appointments are harder to come by than ever before, many of us are turning to our pharmacies to provide some quick teeth fixes.
Dr Surina Sehgal has revealed which dental items you should avoid next time you go to your local chemist
DIY dental kits were especially popular during lockdowns and should be avoided at all cost
In fact, research by the British Dental Association has found that more than 47 million NHS dental appointments have been lost since lockdown in England alone.
Not only that, they also discovered that four in ten people would consider DIY dentistry — fixing broken crowns or whitening their own teeth.
As dentistry becomes ever more expensive in the UK, it’s hardly surprising people are cutting corners.
But many over-the-counter dental products may be doing more hard than good, one expert has warned.
Dr Surina Sehgal, a general and cosmetic dentist based in London, revealed in a TikTok video which dental items you should avoid next time you go to your local chemist.
1. Alcohol mouthwash
Using an mouthwash which contains alcohol might seem like a sensible choice, as alcohol can double as a disinfectant – right?
According to Surina, we should actually be avoiding the stuff at “all costs.
“It’s way too hard on your teeth,” she explained.
This is because alcohol can actually wear down the enamel – the protective, outer covering of your tooth.
2. DIY dental kit
These DIY dental kits were especially popular during lockdowns.
They often contain tools to help you create fillings or pick at plaque buildup.
“The instruments in these have really sharp edges which make it easy to traumatise gums and chip your teeth,” Dr Surina said.
3. Purple toothpaste
Purple dental products are all over TikTok right now after being endorsed by the likes of Kim Kardashian.
Manufacturers of the trendy products claim them can whiten teeth.
But as it turns out, the paste just creates a “very clever illusion” which gives the impression of white teeth, the dentist said.
So don’t believe the hype!
4. Teeth whitening kits
Teeth whitening kits are another product that have gone pretty viral on social media.
“Be really careful when using these,” Dr Surina warned.
“Some contain mild acids and abrasives which can wear down your enamel long term.”
5. Charcoal toothpaste
Charcoal-based toothpastes, which claim to whiten teeth, are another marketing gimmick, the expert suggested.
“They contain abrasive particles to remove surface stains, but daily use can thin your enamel,” she explained.
There is also no scientific evidence indicate they make your teeth more white in the long term.