Why You Should Avoid Natural Teeth Whitening Methods
Maybe an article was forwarded to your email or you came across a tutorial on social media. Regardless of how you heard about , methods generally want you to use a fruit, mineral, or pantry ingredient to eliminate stains. Unfortunately, it never compares to the professional teeth whitening provided by our Ann Arbor, MI, cosmetic dentists.
Here are a few examples of ways people have tried to naturally whiten teeth and why none of them are recommended.
Ignore Natural Teeth Whitening Tricks That Want You To:
1. Apply Acidic Fruits to Teeth
This is a common approach heralded by “experts”. The idea is to rub fresh fruit (or their peels) over your teeth to make them brighter by removing dark stains. Fruits used for this method are naturally acidic and often include lemons, oranges, or pineapples.
Though it might seem fine because these fruits are good for you, the sugar and acid contained within them can cause tooth decay and enamel erosion. Instead of a , you may actually do more damage to your teeth in the long run. After all, enamel is what helps protect you from tooth sensitivity and cavities.
Related Post → Sensitive Teeth: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment
Our cosmetic dentists recommend you stick to consuming these fruits in their whole form as a snack or healthy side. If you’re still interested in a whiter smile, ask us about our teeth whitening treatment that uses a safe, dental grade whitening gel.
2. Scrub Teeth With Charcoal or Baking Soda
Toothpastes or homemade mixes containing activated charcoal as an ingredient are very popular as they promise whiter, shinier results. However, there is no proven evidence that clearly shows dental products with charcoal are safe or effective.
In reality, charcoal scrubs or pastes made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are very abrasive. Repeated use can wear away enamel and cause the next layer of your tooth, dentin, to become visible. Dentin is softer and yellow in appearance, so not what you want showing if you’re looking for whiter teeth.
If you want to use a whitening toothpaste, our cosmetic dentists suggest finding one that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. That means it has been clinically tested to be safe and effective for your smile. Our professional teeth whitening options also allow you to whiten teeth by several shades in less time.
3. Swish With Oils or Spices
The practice of “oil pulling” has roots in ancient India and is said to pull toxins out through the gums and mouth. Oftentimes, coconut oil is chosen, swished around the mouth for a short period of time, and spat out. Spices like turmeric are also applied to teeth in combination with the oil to enhance the natural whitening properties of the two.
However, no credible scientific evidence so far has shown oil pulling or turmeric to be particularly powerful whitening agents. Our cosmetic dentists recommend you instead incorporate these ingredients into delicious home cooked meals.
Choose Professional Teeth Whitening
Whereas teeth whitening from our dentists is safe for your enamel, natural remedies can often cause damage to that part of your tooth. Many times, the ingredients used are too rough or abrasive for teeth despite being natural.
Inside our Ann Arbor dental office, our cosmetic dentists stand by the teeth whitening we provide. The whitening components we use, unlike those described in online methods, are safe, yet powerful. You can rest assured knowing that your results will be more impressive than if you settled for .
Make an Appointment Today
Your teeth deserve more than having fruit peels, spices, and abrasive charcoal rubbed on them. The safest and most effective way to whiten your smile is to see our . We’ll ask you what your ideal shade is and explain every detail so you know exactly what will happen. Call Liberty Dental at (734) 994-0909 to request an appointment.
This blog post has been updated.