There are many online posts and magazine features that explain DIY ways to whiten your teeth at home. Most of them list household items like activated charcoal and baking soda, and they claim that when combined with other ingredients, these items are effective as whitening agents. How true is this? Below, we separate truth from fiction:
FICTION:
Acidic fruits (e.g. lemons, apple cider, and oranges), when combined with baking soda and mango makes the teeth whiter and brighter.
TRUTH:
If acidic fruits stay on the teeth for long, it erodes the enamel. If you combine them with an abrasive substance like baking soda, you are likelier to damage your enamel over time than you are to whiten your teeth. If the enamel, the protective layer of the teeth, is weakened, you are exposed to tooth sensitivity and cavities.
FICTION:
Applying turmeric to the teeth, or using coconut oil to rinse the mouth out helps whiten the teeth and prevent cavities.
TRUTH:
This claim has no reliable scientific backing, and no one knows how much turmeric is needed to make the teeth white. Spices and oils are for cooking, not dental care.
FICTION:
Scrubbing the teeth with activated charcoal or a hydrogen peroxide/baking soda mixture will clean out deeply set tooth stains.
TRUTH:
While activated charcoal has been proven to adsorb toxins, there is no scientific proof that it cleans out tooth stains. Furthermore, along with baking soda, activated charcoal is too abrasive for tooth enamel. As a matter of fact, the American Dental Association prohibits its addition to whitening toothpaste.
Rather than guess at which substances will clean your teeth without destroying it, why not pay a visit to a close-by dental clinic? If you live/work around Cypress, check out Texas Premier Dental, one of the top dental facilities in the state. Call 281-206-0100 now to book an appointment.