12 Things Dental Hygienists Would Never, Ever Do To Their Teeth

“You’ll never catch me using charcoal toothpaste,” DiFoggio said. “While it might make your teeth look whiter at first, charcoal is abrasive and can wear down your enamel over time ― revealing the yellowish dentin underneath. It’s a fast track to sensitivity and discoloration.”

She added that even non-charcoal whitening toothpastes can cause sensitivity if overused, so she uses them sparingly and always prioritizes protecting enamel. DiFoggio is also not a proponent of fluoride-free toothpaste. 

“With so many myths floating around online, I see a lot of patients switching to fluoride-free toothpaste,” she said. “But here’s the truth: Fluoride is safe and effective, and helps remineralize enamel where early cavities are trying to form ― especially in acidic conditions where damage happens.”

A strong alternative to fluoride, nano-hydroxyapatite, doesn’t even perform as well against acid. 

“Plus, fluoride-free toothpastes aren’t regulated the same way, so you don’t always know what you’re getting,” DiFoggio said. “Overall, not everyone needs fluoride, but if you’re cavity-prone, why take that chance?”

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.