Apple Cider Vinegar has been often touted as the new magic cure for all our troubles. Countless magazines and websites alike simply can’t get enough of how nontoxic, bacteria-killing, and versatile it is. Some people have even suggested that gargling with vinegar can take care of all your dental health woes in a cheaper, healthier, and easier way. However, most dental professionals beg to differ.
The general consensus among most dentists is that rinsing your mouth with vinegar only results in an increased risk of cavities due to weakened enamel. Some dentists would rather you not use vinegar outside the kitchen, while others recommend that you dilute and drink it instead. Here are a few facts and tidbits that can help you decide whether or not using vinegar is right for you.
As stated earlier, gargling with vinegar is a big NO-NO. The acidity (pH 2.5-3.0) in apple cider vinegar can dissolve tooth enamel and kill healthy bacteria inside your mouth. Some health practitioners also believe that directly ingesting apple cider vinegar can cause painful swelling, sores, and irritation to your mouth.
Whenever you rinse your mouth with vinegar, you end up weakening the protective enamel of your teeth more and more. This can cause harmful bacteria and germs to spread and cause painful cavities. If you’re already suffering from a cavity, you also risk causing infection and pain to your exposed inner tooth when you rinse with highly acidic vinegar.
Apple cider vinegar also suffers from the same problem as an abrasive mouthwash in that it can indiscriminately remove bacteria from your mouth. Take note that not all the bacteria in our bodies are meant to be bad. Some good bacteria, such as Streptococcus salivarius K12, exist to cancel out harmful bacteria and serve as additional protection against dental health problems. When you get rid of the good bacteria alongside the bad ones from your mouth, you only make it easier for harmful bacteria to spread and wreak havoc on your teeth and gums.
Even though vinegar isn’t all that great for your teeth, it can possibly do some good for your body. Before you start drinking vinegar at home, you should take a few steps to lessen its negative effects on your teeth. Here are some ways to make vinegar less harmful for your oral health.
Using vinegar might seem like an easy and inexpensive life hack, but it also comes with many risks to your health. Here are some safer alternatives that you might want to try instead.
You can also give your teeth the proper treatment they deserve by using a top-quality dental scaler. Dental scalers are specially designed to fit between and behind teeth in order to remove harmful bacteria and germs left behind by your toothbrush. They can also scrape off stubborn plaque and calculus so that you don’t suffer from any painful gum diseases and cavities. Why not order your own special dental scaler from our online shop with just a few clicks?