Ancient Romans had some odd dental habits and practices when it came to dental care. For example, they would rub their teeth with a paste made of honey and ground pepper, believing that the combination could whiten their teeth. While modern dentistry has come a long way since then, there are still many unusual practices \u2013 some have even become very popular \u2013 that people use to this day that may or may not be effective.<\/p>\n
Baking soda has become a popular choice for people looking for a whiter smile without costly professional treatments. However, baking soda should only be used occasionally as a cleanser. Because of the abrasive texture,\u00a0it can wear down enamel over time<\/em>\u00a0if used too often or incorrectly. Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste is still the best option for keeping teeth clean and white naturally.<\/p>\n Like baking soda, activated charcoal is an abrasive scrub and can wear away the protective outer layer of your teeth. In fact, activated charcoal can make your teeth look yellower, not whiter. You could unintentionally scrub away your tooth\u2019s enamel, revealing the dentin beneath.<\/p>\n Another recent dental hygiene fad is swishing coconut oil \u2013 known as \u201cpulling\u201d. The belief is that the slippery oil will help remove debris left between teeth without having to floss. While coconut oil pulling has been reported to remedy a host of oral health problems, including gingivitis, periodontitis, and halitosis, it\u2019s not a substitute for regular flossing, which dentists still deem essential for good oral health maintenance.<\/p>\nDoes activated charcoal whiten teeth?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Is swishing with coconut oil a substitute for flossing?<\/strong><\/h3>\n