Want stunning white teeth but don’t want to spend a lot of money? You might be looking into tooth whitening naturally. There are thousands of articles available online about home remedies and alternative treatments designed to save you a few extra dollars but as trained dentists, it’s our duty to determine fact from fiction and warn you about the risks of these DIY teeth whitening treatments.
In this article, we share some of the most common teeth whitening home remedies and their dangers — plus, we’ll also highlight some safe and professional treatments to ensure you achieve the pearly white teeth you’ve always wanted.
Common teeth whitening home remedies: fact vs fiction
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There are scores of different theories about tooth whitening naturally. Most remedies involve ingredients you’ll find in your own home like fruits, spices and oils. However, it’s important to do some research before brushing with random household ingredients so you know the effects and possible consequences.
Fruits
Some of the most popular teeth whitening home remedies involve naturally acidic ingredients (like lemons, oranges and apple cider vinegar), digestive enzymes (like pineapple or mango) or something that is abrasive (like baking soda). Eaten normally, fruits and vegetables are a great choice for your health. However, prolonged contact or scrubbing with acidic foods can wear away your enamel.
The enamel is there to protect your teeth from sensitivity and cavities — it’s important to protect it as much as possible!
Activated charcoal
Some claim that brushing with activated charcoal can remove stains from your teeth because charcoal is highly absorbent. It is also said to remove bacteria and toxins from your mouth — with all this in mind, it’s no surprise that there are now various different kinds of charcoal-based toothpaste available on the market.
The truth is that there is no scientific evidence that charcoal is safe or effective for your teeth. Using abrasive materials on your teeth can actually make them look more yellow — you’re looking to whiten the enamel but if you use a toothpaste that’s too rough, you can wear the enamel away and leave the dentin exposed (i.e. the softer, yellow tissue under the enamel).
Spices and oils
There is also a theory that swishing coconut oil around your mouth (otherwise known as “oil pulling”) or using spices like turmeric can help whiten your teeth. However, there is no scientific evidence to prove that oil pulling or turmeric whitens teeth — we recommend keeping these ingredients for a delicious meal, instead!
Effective teeth whitening treatments to discuss with your dentist
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When it comes to teeth whitening, we recommend leaving it to the professionals. If you’re looking for an effective and convenient solution for teeth whitening, we recommend opting for a take-home bleaching kit. You will be required to attend two appointments — in the first appointment, we will take a mould of your teeth and send the imprint away to have a custom mouthguard (i.e. bleaching tray) made for you.
In the second appointment, we will give you the bleaching tray, a bleaching kit and an instruction booklet to take home. Now, you can control the teeth whitening process in the comfort of your own home and brighten your teeth whenever you notice discolouration starting to occur. You can even freshen them up before a big social event!
It’s important to note that it can take up to two weeks before you start to see whitening occur. If you ever have any questions about the process, feel free to get in touch with the team from Swansea Dental Practice.
Contact Swansea Dental Practice to book a teeth whitening consultation today!
Don’t waste time (and cooking ingredients) on home remedies. Whiten your teeth professionally at home with Swansea Dental Practice! We’ll ensure you achieve the stunning white smile you’ve always wanted. Contact us to book a consultation today!
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