dentalssale Many people are looking for ways to get whiter teeth. With dental appointments becoming harder to come by, many are turning to pharmacies for quick fixes. In England alone, more than 47 million NHS dental appointments have been lost. Four in ten people would consider DIY dentistry to fix broken crowns or whiten their own teeth.
As dentistry becomes more expensive, it’s not surprising that people are cutting corners. However, many over-the-counter dental products may be doing more harm than good. Here are some things you should avoid when you go to your local chemist:
- Alcohol mouthwash: Using a mouthwash that contains alcohol might seem like a good idea because alcohol can double as a disinfectant. However, you should avoid it at all costs because alcohol can actually wear down the enamel – the protective outer covering of your tooth.
- DIY dental kit: These kits often contain tools to help you create fillings or pick at plaque buildup. But the instruments in these have really sharp edges which make it easy to traumatize gums and chip your teeth.
- 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 they can whiten teeth. But as it turns out, the paste just creates a “very clever illusion” which gives the impression of white teeth.
- Teeth whitening kits: These kits are another product that have gone pretty viral on social media. Be really careful when using these. Some contain mild acids and abrasives which can wear down your enamel long term.
- Charcoal toothpaste: Charcoal-based toothpastes, which claim to whiten teeth, are another marketing gimmick. They contain abrasive particles to remove surface stains, but daily use can thin your enamel. There is also no scientific evidence indicating they make your teeth more white in the long run.
