Internet Influencers Are Not Dental Health Experts

by | Feb 7, 2022

Your health is not one of internet influencers reasons for dental health posts.

Internet influencers dominate the cyberspace landscape. Social media is the reigning realm of communication, and influencers are royalty. They’re mostly young people with large social media fan bases who manipulate purchasing decisions, opinions, and behavior through advertising and sponsorship. They earn money by testing clothing, makeup, and even dental products.

Using internet influencers is an increasingly important part of various companies’ marketing and communication strategies. A successful influencer is a model, customer, and salesperson, all rolled into one.

Internet Influencers Are Advertisers, Not Experts

They may have a million fans watching their every move, but internet influencers are simply opinionated intermediaries. Businesses pay influencers as advertisers, meaning their videos, pictures, and opinions are nothing more than digital commercials.

For example, the black toothpaste trend isn’t a safe way to keep your mouth clean, but you wouldn’t know that from scrolling through Twitter or Instagram. First, the internet influencers started doing it. Now, more and more people are brushing their teeth with black toothpaste made from activated charcoal, and the real experts know this trend is not a healthy habit.

Images of influencers smiling big with grainy black powder on their teeth are everywhere. If you believe the advertising promises, it’s an easy and effective way to whiten your teeth. Influencers swear by the products and advertise them on their channels, and because of this, more and more people are using black toothpaste in everyday life. However, they may not achieve the desired effect. In fact, activated charcoal toothpaste can be risky, dentists caution.

Stay Away From the Trends (Like Activated Charcoal Toothpaste)

We’ve all fallen under the spell of advertisers, whether you’re seeking the best shoes, the most delicious candy bar, or whiter teeth. But beware of internet influencer trends.

Activated charcoal toothpaste rarely contains fluoride. Researchers call activated charcoal toothpaste a marketing gimmick in a study published in the British Dental Journal.

The authors, who analyzed 50 American-made products, report that brushing with activated charcoal does not whiten teeth in any way. In most pastes there is no fluoride at all. This means that your teeth are more likely to be damaged. The experts warn that using activated charcoal toothpaste can cause tooth decay, inflammation of the gums, enamel erosion.

Viral Video Dangers

Internet Influencers are fantastic at their jobs. First thing to remember, they consistently create content that viewers share over and over until millions have watched a particular video clip.

One viral TikTok challenge shows children using nail files to change the shape of their natural teeth. Moreover, some influencers went as far as super-gluing fangs into their mouths. For the most part, you likely understand the danger of these challenges as an adult, but influential children and teens are primary targets for dangerous misinformation.

The Negative Effects of Internet Influencers on Children

The negative effects of internet influencers and advertising may seem relatively harmless, but the real-world statistics share a different story. For example:

  • Science links depression and poor dental health to one another. For example, a study from the Universities of Arkansas and Pittsburgh followed 1,289 study participants between 18 and 30 for six months. At the start of the study, 990 had no depressive symptoms. After six months, 95 of these people (9.6 percent) had developed such symptoms. There was a significant connection between the intensity of the original social media use and the occurrence of depression after six months.
  • The University of Montreal shadowed 4,000 teenagers over four years. Consequently,  the more time the subjects spent on social media, the more depressive symptoms they developed.
  • The US outlawed cigarette ads from radio and television in 1971. However, social media is the Wild West of marketing. Tobacco products wreak havoc on dental health, but tobacco and e-cigarette companies often use internet influencers to promote unhealthy and downright dangerous products. In fact, tobacco companies exposed almost 21 million teenagers to these products from at least one source in 2016.
  • The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reveals that internet influencers are great at swaying your children towards unhealthy food and drink choices. Sugary beverages and foods frequently cause dental problems.
  • Dental care is not a DIY option. If you want straighter teeth or a whiter smile, call us today at 317-745-4400. We’re committed to keeping you happy and healthy at Danville Family Dentistry. Make your appointment today.

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Disclaimer: The information included in this article is for educational purposes only. It should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.