The Five Things Your Dentist Doesn't Want You To Know

A London-based dentist has made waves online after revealing the "five things that your own dentist doesn't want you to know," but is there any truth to her claims?

Newsweek spoke with Shaadi Manouchehri, the award-winning cosmetic dentist and facial anesthetic practitioner behind the viral video, to learn why people should practice what she preaches. We also contacted two dental studio owners based in the U.S. to hear their take on Manouchehri's advice.

Manouchehri, who's also a director at the London School of Facial Aesthetics, has amassed over 200,000 followers across TikTok and Instagram, where she shares dental tips and tricks with her digital audience with particular presentational flair.

On a video posted to TikTok on December 25, the dentist outlined the five things she feels people ought to know when it comes to having clean and healthy teeth.

She opened the video by saying that "dentists don't want you to know these secrets because they'll probably go out of business".

The secrets that dentists are supposedly gatekeeping range from the benefits of fluoride toothpaste over the dangers of charcoal toothpaste, and the times of day that are best for brushing teeth.

Check Your Toothpaste

To avoid the "dreaded drill and fill," Manouchehri, who is a director at Smart Dental Aesthetics in the U.K, advises viewers to kit their bathroom cabinets out with fluoride toothpaste.

"Use a fluoride toothpaste twice daily and spit don't rinse. Fluoride can strengthen teeth and even reverse early cavities," the dentist told Newsweek.

She had shared in the viral post, which has been viewed more than 698,000 times since it was first posted online, that people "need to be using fluoride toothpaste" and that if they're not they are "missing out".

The dental expert added that charcoal toothpaste, which has been something of a wellness trend in recent years, is not worth the hype.

Manouchehri told Newsweek: "Charcoal toothpaste is abrasive and can wear away your tooth's enamel, making it more yellow and more sensitive by exposing the dentine layer underneath".

Houston-based dentist and clinic co-founder, Fatima Khan, concurs with Manouchehri. Khan told Newsweek that "fluoride can strengthen teeth and even reverse early-stage cavities, but that it needs to be left on teeth for at least two minutes to take affect".

She explained that this duration can ensure that the fluoride has had adequate time to act on the tooth enamel.

"The longer it stays on your teeth it enhances the benefits of remineralization. To sum up, if you are going the natural route and are hoping to try fluoride-free options, do make sure that you use a toothpaste that has hydroxyapatite to re-mineralize your teeth," she added.

When it comes to charcoal toothpaste, Khan said that "all whitening toothpastes usually remove extrinsic stains with the use of abrasives".

She continued that "abrasive ingredients include activated charcoal, baking soda, silica, dicalcium phosphate, and calcium carbonate".

According to the dentist, the downside is that these ingredients can lead to enamel wear which causes sensitivity and affects overall aesthetics due to their abrasive nature. This loss of enamel will make your teeth appear more yellow.

"If you use the above ingredients, find products with a low-relative dentin abrasivity value, this scale can tell you how much tooth structure will be worn by using a specific toothpaste," Khan explained.

Eat Fewer Sweets

"To prevent cavities and still be able to enjoy candy, you need to reduce the frequency of consumption as when it comes to your teeth it's the number of attacks rather than the amount of sugary treats at a time that matters," Manouchehri said.

While it's well known that eating copious sweet treats can have a harmful impact on the body, the dentist argues that eating one too many candies may not lead to the same effect.

Manouchehri makes clear that indulging in sizeable portions of candy is never a good thing for your teeth, she says that when it comes to dental health the emphasis should be on how many times a week candy is eaten over how many you eat in one sitting.

Jarrett Manning is an accredited dentist based in Georgia. She owns JLM Dental Studio in Smyrna and East Point. The U.S. dentist backs Manouchehri's advice, adding that the frequency of sugar consumption can have an impact on oral health because the bacteria in mouths that produces acids after eating can lead to early tooth decay.

"If you constantly expose your teeth to sugary foods and drinks throughout the day, it increases the number of acid attacks on your teeth, which can contribute to cavities. Reducing the frequency of sugar intake and allowing time between consumption periods gives your saliva a chance to neutralize acids and helps protect your teeth," Manning told Newsweek.

Watch the Time

Most people will attest to the long-standing split between those who brush their teeth before they eat breakfast and those who brush afterwards.

According to Manouchehri, people should avoid brushing their teeth straight after they've finished a meal.

"Never brush your teeth straight after eating. Instead, try to wait for between 30 and 60 minutes for the acid created by eating to neutralize. Then you can brush your teeth," she said.

The dental expert continued that people should clean their teeth at least twice a day, and that they shouldn't shy away from floss, interdental brushes or water flossers to maintain a clean and healthy finish.

Manning and Khan both support Manouchehri in her advice that teeth should be cleaned at least 30 minutes after meals and regularly.

"Cleaning between your teeth is an essential part of maintaining good oral hygiene. The spaces between your teeth are areas where toothbrushes might not reach effectively, and bacteria and food particles can accumulate, leading to plaque buildup and potential dental issues," Manning said.

"As for brushing times, after consuming acidic foods or beverages teeth are left in a vulnerable state. If you brush your teeth immediately after eating acidic substances, you risk damaging your teeth. This damage can lead to enamel erosion and tooth sensitivity over time.

"Waiting for about 30 to 60 minutes after eating allows saliva to naturally neutralize the acids in your mouth and for the enamel to reharden. Once this time has passed, it is safer to brush your teeth without the risk of causing damage to the softened enamel," she added.

Manning noted that people should remember that not all foods and drinks are equally acidic, and that the time it takes for the acid to neutralize can vary greatly. Still, she concurs that it's better to be on the safe side and wait for half an hour if possible.

Khan adds that flossing should always be prioritized because it can break down the bacteria colonies that arise from teeth and gums.

"You need traditional flossing daily to remove food particles and plaque," she said.

Manning went on to tell Newsweek that "traditional dental flossing is her number one professional recommendation."

The TikTok post can be seen here..

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