by Dr Sandhiya Salim
Gone are the days when a genuine smile and slight head tilt were enough to look picture perfect for social media. A new makeover trend is in hype, Instgram smile! Innumerable trends have begun being shaped by Instagram and selfie culture, with perhaps the most pervasive being the ideal smile. Instagram enthusiasts in search of the 'perfect smile look' need look no further than Instagram. Nonetheless, the spontaneous rise in DIY (Do It Yourself) whitening kits and unhealthy attitudes towards dental care are worrying industry professionals.
Instagram: App where smile sells
Instagram is to beauty ideals as fashion magazines, and glossy advertisements were before it. The inclination towards the idea of having a 'perfect smile' is strong that not even FaceTune will scratch the itch. So one is caught between a rock and a hard place to either see a dentist and get professional advice. Alternatively, why not use the 20 per cent discount code your favourite influencer is offering on an at-home whitening kit instead? These whitening kits provide an LED device that promises whitening without the sensitivity, while whitening hydrogen peroxide 'gels' are easily purchased online.
The sponsored content on social media and suggested ads make the products accessible for the general audience to find which they might not otherwise.
Determining DIY hacks safe or not?
These at-home options are so unpredictable and hazardous that according to a report, Amazon had to pull sales of their most popular whitening product as it was found to contain unsafe and banned chemicals which can be damaging.
The dangers don’t stop there. There is a worrying rise observed in the popularity of so-called “alternative” treatments. For instance, there’s so much fabrication about fluoride that some people are buying non-fluoride kinds of toothpaste. Similarly, charcoal toothpaste is very much admired and accepted on Instagram, but then again, they do not work; likewise, coconut oil does nothing.
How to get Instagram smile easily and safely!
Your smile is the first thing that people notice about you. A healthy smile cannot be achieved overnight. However, here are a few basic methods to help improve and maintain the appearance and health of your teeth.
- Buy a Quality toothbrush: Electric toothbrushes are shown to remove more plaque and achieve healthier gums than manual toothbrushes. Dental professionals recommend using soft to medium bristles as stiffer bristles are aggressive.
- Floss daily: Flossing removes plaque between teeth. It helps prevent tooth decay and gingivitis. If not used regularly, plaque and tartar build-up under the gum line, which can lead to periodontal diseases.
- See your hygienist twice a year: Having a routine check-up and cleaning helps promote good oral health and a beautiful smile. Having healthy gums can prevent periodontal disease. In addition to removing tartar, it removes teeth staining as well.
- Give up smoking and limit your coffee and tea: Smoking causes staining to your teeth. It also damages healthy gums causing them to recede. It makes teeth appear longer and staining causes darkening of spaces between them.
- Improve your health conditions: Oral habits like bruxism, also known as teeth grinding and conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity can affect the health and appearance of your smile. Eating right and getting enough exercise can dramatically improve the health and appearance of your teeth and body.
The author is contributing writer at Dental News Pakistan and can be reached at sandhiyaiqbal@gmail.com