Are Teeth Whitening Home Remedies Safe?
Here at Artistic Expressions Dentistry, we offer patients in the greater Philadelphia area the latest and most effective tooth whitening systems to bleach dental stains. Many patients are satisfied with the results but want to know if they can do more at home to make their smiles look their best.
Let's consider some basic teeth whitening home remedies and assess their safety.
Good Oral Hygiene
Brushing at least twice a day and flossing every night helps remove plaque, reduce dental staining, and prevents major dental problems from developing. If you brush and floss after each meal, that is most ideal.
Verdict: Totally safe, and something you should be doing to achieve optimal dental health.
Use a Drinking Straw
By using a drinking straw, beverages that may stain your smile will bypass the teeth. Preventing direct contact with the teeth means less issues with staining and discoloration.
Verdict: Another safe suggestion. This is something that's easy and quite effective as well.
Baking Soda Solutions for Brushing Your Teeth
The uses of baking soda are many, and it's a home remedy that many people consider when it comes to whitening their teeth.
There are variations of the baking soda mix. One of the most popular is the combination of lemon juice with baking soda. The chemical reaction of the acidic and alkali substances helps brighten the smile. Some people use baking soda and diluted hydrogen peroxide to brush their teeth.
Verdict: Relatively safe, but be sure to only do it once every other week or just once a month to prevent wearing down of your tooth enamel. Doing it too often can actually do damage to your smile rather than make it look its best.
Banana Peels and Orange Peels
The insides of banana peels and orange peels have helpful minerals that can brighten and whiten your smile. Rub the insides of these peels on your teeth for roughly two minutes a day. This helps the potassium, magnesium, and manganese get absorbed into your teeth.
Verdict: Safe, and puts the peels to good use.
Eating Strawberries
Strawberries contain an enzyme known as malic acid as well as a good amount of vitamin C. In combination, this helps clean away stains on the surface of your tooth structure and remove plaque buildup. Some people mash up strawberries and brush their teeth with them to achieve these effects.
Verdict: Safe, great tasting, and good for you. On the note of foods...
Avoid Foods and Beverages That Lead to Dental Stains
Knowing what not to eat and drink for a white smile can be very useful. Be wary about the following since they can lead to major stains and discoloration over time:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Cola
- Red wine
- Beets
- Berries
- Tomatoes
- Carrots
- Curries
Verdict: Safe. It's common sense and good to know.
Oil Pulling
An ancient remedy that's roughly 3,000 years old, oil pulling has been growing in popularity. People who do it claim that oil pulling can help prevent tooth decay, gum disease, and bad breath. Some also claim it can white your smile in the process. There's a fair amount of research to back this up.
Oil pulling involves taking a tablespoon of organic oil (coconut oil tends to be best) and swishing it around your mouth for 15 to 20 minutes. Patients spit out the oil and then rinse their mouths thoroughly.
Verdict: Safe, though it might take a little time to get used to the feeling of oil in your mouth for that long. Start with just 5 minutes of swishing to get used to it, then build up.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Using hydrogen peroxide to treat wounds is a given, but some people rinse with a hydrogen peroxide solution to help whiten their teeth and brighten their smile. Just be sure not to swallow.
Verdict: Mostly safe. Be sure to dilute the hydrogen peroxide
Contact Artistic Expressions Dentistry
For more information about teeth whitening treatment and how it can help you have the smile of your dreams, be sure to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry center today. The entire team here at Artistic Expressions Dentistry looks forward to your visit and helping you achieve excellent dental health and wellness.
