Whether you are committed to wellness, want to look younger, or just want to be on the cutting edge of the latest trends and styles, there’s a chance that some of the things you’re doing could be detrimental to your teeth. Even habits that appear healthy on the surface might be doing irreparable damage inside your mouth.

Although some habits, like brushing and flossing, will never go out of style, if you are doing any of the following, you might want to rethink it, or try a healthier alternative, if you want to maintain strong healthy teeth and a bright smile.

Apple Cider Vinegar Shots

Apple cider vinegar is credited with everything from helping with blood sugar management to weight loss when you take a shot of it each morning. Although there is only limited evidence

that this is true, what is clear is that leaving apple cider vinegar on your teeth can wear away enamel. This can cause tooth sensitivity and contribute to decay as well as darkening of the teeth.

The good news is that you can still take apple cider vinegar shots if you take steps to protect your pearly whites. Dilute the vinegar with water, and don’t swish it around your mouth before swallowing. Wait 30 minutes before brushing, and avoid eating other acidic foods, like citrus, at the same time.

Brushing With Activated Charcoal

Brushing with activated charcoal is another trend that took social media by storm recently, with influencers sharing images of their black teeth and mouths. Drugstore shelves offer all manner of charcoal toothpaste, all claiming to whiten teeth — and they work, as charcoal definitely can leave your teeth looking whiter. This is because charcoal contains compounds that remove toxins.

Activated charcoal comes from burning carbon-rich materials like wood, and can be gritty and abrasive. According to the American Dental Association, it can be toxic and isn’t safe or effective for adequately cleaning teeth. Brushing with activated charcoal can wear away tooth enamel, which can make teeth appear more yellow. Instead, talk to your dentist about other, safe teeth whitening options that won’t harm your teeth.

Brushing With Lemon Juice and Baking soda

Baking soda is prized for its cleaning abilities, and many toothpaste brands include the kitchen stable in their formulas. It’s become trendy, though, to mix baking soda with lemon juice to remove stains and whiten teeth.

However, baking soda is abrasive and can wear away tooth enamel, especially when combined with the acid in lemon juice. Again, professional teeth whitening under your dentist’s supervision is a better choice.

Coconut Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is another social media trend with questionable results and effects on your teeth. Based on an ancient practice of swishing coconut, sunflower, or sesame oil around your mouth for up to 20 minutes, the practice is said to help combat bad breath and eliminate harmful bacteria that can cause gingivitis and the plaque that causes tooth decay.

However, there is no evidence that oil pulling works, and it does not help with bad breath. It’s not a substitute for proper oral hygiene, and trying to replace brushing and flossing with oil pulling can lead to serious dental problems.

“Bejewelling” Teeth With Implanted Diamonds or Jewelry

Certain celebrities have popularized “bejewelling” teeth by adding diamond or jeweled implants to the front of their teeth. Strictly a fashion statement, fans claim that the implants are harmless, but that’s not always true.

Decorating your teeth with jewels requires using a strong dental adhesive that can damage tooth enamel when removed. In some cases, the tooth surface is scraped or drilled to accommodate the implant. Any time this happens, it causes permanent damage. Decorative implants can also make it difficult to properly brush and floss your teeth. Bacteria can build up around the implant as well, eventually leading to tartar, tooth decay, and, in some cases, tooth loss.

DIY Teeth Whiteners

When you want to whiten your teeth even just a few shades, the idea of a DIY at-home treatment can be appealing. Social media is full of ideas for teeth whitening, some of which might work, like whitening strips.

Using strips to whiten your teeth (occasionally even paired with an at-home light kit) can work, but it can be challenging to properly implement the steps to get a whiter smile. Trying at-home teeth whitening kits can lead to overly white teeth, illness from a reaction to the ingredients, or damage to tooth enamel if done improperly. If you’re concerned about your tooth color, talk to your dentist about cosmetic dentistry treatment options that are safe for your teeth.

Grills/Gold Teeth

Although not as trendy as it once was, some people may want to jazz up their smiles with grills or gold teeth attached over their real teeth. These accessories cause many of the same problems as diamond implants, including bacteria buildup, damage to the enamel, and challenges maintaining good oral hygiene. There’s also the possibility that adding extra metal to your mouth can lead to toxins in your bloodstream. All in all, grills and gold teeth are just bad ideas.

Intentional Tooth Gap — “The London Look”

As it’s become more in fashion to embrace natural tooth gaps, especially in Britain, some people have asked their dentists to reverse the corrections that were made to their gaps. Known as “ The London Look ,” reversing corrective dentistry isn’t recommended because it can cause problems with the bite and jaw. For those who wish to retain their gap, cosmetic and corrective dentistry procedures may be able to narrow an existing gap without closing it. This will retain natural character while preserving the alignment and health of teeth.

Rinsing Your Mouth With Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is touted as a home remedy for teeth whitening and reducing gum inflammation. It’s also been recommended for helping to soothe a sore throat, in large part because it kills bacteria.

However, unless you use diluted hydrogen peroxide, and take care not to swallow any, you could do more harm than good by rinsing with it. It is a disinfectant and can cause gum irritation. It will also cause an upset stomach if swallowed. Instead of reaching for the brown bottle, talk to your dentist about teeth whitening or gum irritation, and gargle with salt water to ease a sore throat.

Using Fluoride-Free Toothpaste

It’s recently become trendy to avoid toothpastes that contain fluoride out of concern that it can cause health problems. Fluoride is a naturally-occurring mineral that helps reduce the risk of tooth decay. Although some small children can develop dental fluorosis when they ingest too much fluoride before their teeth emerge, the issue is cosmetic. For most people, fluoride is harmless , and brushing twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste is the best way to maintain healthy teeth.

If you have questions about these or any other dental trends, make an appointment with your dentist. There may be safer alternatives to reaching your goals and achieving the bright, healthy smile that you are looking for.