Dr. Buleni Answers Your Questions: Fluoride, Smoking, Alcohol, and More

We sat down with Dr. Buleni for Episode 6 of our YouTube series... and this one was different. Instead of us choosing the topic, we put YOUR questions to her. Questions that came in from people all over the world who wanted real, honest answers about their oral health. Here's everything she covered, straight from the conversation.

Is Fluoride Toothpaste Actually Safe — Or Does It Make You Dumb?

This is one of the most Googled dental questions in South Africa right now, and Dr. Buleni didn't hold back.

"I am pro-fluoride. It helps to remineralise the teeth, making the enamel stronger — because you need your enamel strong to fight against the acidic attacks from the food that we eat. I would say continue to use your fluoridated toothpaste."

The internet is full of claims that fluoride lowers IQ or is toxic. Dr. Buleni's position is clear: the fluoride in toothpaste protects your enamel from the acids produced by bacteria after you eat. If you're still nervous about it, her suggestion is to rotate... use a fluoride toothpaste for some sessions and a fluoride-free option for others. But make sure fluoride stays somewhere in your routine.

Which Toothpaste Brand Does Dr. Buleni Actually Use?

We asked her to name her top picks for South African patients... and she gave us a two-tier answer.

For high-risk patients: Clean Pro

Clean Pro is a prescription-strength toothpaste available only at dental practices. It has the highest fluoride content available in South Africa and is prescribed for patients who are immunocompromised, differently abled, or starting orthodontic treatment... anyone whose ability to clean their teeth properly is in any way compromised.

For everyday use: Colgate Total

"It has sufficient fluoride. It has an antibacterial agent, triclosan. It smells nice and fresh. And besides, I grew up using it — it's what my family uses too." Simple, honest, and exactly what you'd hope your dentist would tell you.

Smoking vs. Alcohol — Which One Destroys Your Teeth Worse?

This was the question the audience was most curious about... and Dr. Buleni broke down exactly what each one does before letting us decide for ourselves.

What smoking does:

Nicotine constricts blood flow, which means wounds in the mouth... from extractions, cuts, or sores — take significantly longer to heal. Smokers often have chronically inflamed gums that never fully recover because every cigarette re-introduces the same damaging agents. Smoking also builds up a biofilm on the tongue that dulls the sense of taste... which is why heavy smokers often add more salt or spice to their food just to taste it properly. And yes, it stains teeth. Vaping, by the way, is not better. Dr. Buleni was direct about this.

What alcohol does:

Most alcoholic drinks are acidic. The danger isn't the alcohol itself... it's how long it sits against your teeth. Dr. Buleni used the same logic she applies to sugary drinks:

"It's not the amount of alcohol that matters. It's the duration. If you're swishing your drink around your mouth, you're under constant acidic attack. If you finish your drink in 10 minutes and follow it with water, you neutralise the pH and reduce the damage significantly."

Her verdict: smoking is harder on your mouth. The damage to gum tissue, blood flow, taste, and tooth surfaces is ongoing and cumulative in a way that moderate, quick drinking is not. But context matters — neither is good, and both compound existing problems.

Beyond Water: Is There Any Other Drink That's Good for Your Teeth?

Short answer from Dr. Buleni: no.

"There is nothing superior to water. Water is the most superior in terms of health, hydration, refreshment. Water is unbeatable."

That said, she did offer a practical tip for those who want to go a step further. Alkaline water — water with a slightly higher pH — is less acidic and therefore gentler on enamel. If you don't have access to an alkaline water filter, she recommends adding a small pinch of bicarbonate of soda to a glass of water, letting it dissolve fully, and drinking it. The bicarbonate raises the pH without affecting the taste significantly.

One thing she was clear about: don't brush your teeth with bicarbonate of soda. The abrasiveness damages enamel. Dissolve it in water and drink it — that's the only way she recommends using it.

The String-and-Door Method for Removing Loose Baby Teeth — Safe or Not?

We took it back to pure South African culture for the last question. You know the one — tie a string around the loose tooth, attach it to a door, slam the door. Some of us grew up with it. Some of us have done significantly more creative versions (one person apparently used a toy gun with a foam bullet).

Dr. Buleni's take? She's not about it.

"The risk is that you might fracture the root. With a baby tooth, the root is usually already dissolving — but in cases where it hasn't fully dissolved yet, you're risking a broken root left behind in the gum."

A broken root left in the gum can cause infection, interfere with the adult tooth developing underneath, and require a visit to — ironically — the dentist anyway. The tooth fairy joke practically writes itself.

Her recommendation: if a baby tooth is genuinely ready to come out, gentle wiggling by the child themselves is the safest method. If it's not coming out on its own after a few days, a quick visit to Smilez is the right call. No strings. No doors. Definitely no toy guns.

That's Episode 6 wrapped up. Five real questions, five straight answers... no fluff, no AI-generated responses (Dr. Buleni mentioned this herself), just honest dental guidance from a practitioner who sees the consequences of these questions every day in her chair.

Got a question that didn't make it into this episode? Drop it in the YouTube comments. Dr. Buleni personally reviews them and gets back to you.

Watch Episode 6 on our YouTube channel for the full conversation: https://youtu.be/6RBSmF5LzDg

Like, subscribe, and drop your questions in the comments... Dr. Buleni answers them personally. To book an appointment, Call us at 013 692 8249 or visit Smilez Dental Surgery at Tasbetpark Center, 8 Boekenout Street, Shop no. 3, Witbank.