There are different ways to whiten your teeth, and one method that resonates with many is the natural way. As the name suggests, natural teeth whitening is the process of whitening teeth without the use of harmful chemicals. It is a favorite way for many people as it involves simple DIY methods like flossing, brushing, the use of charcoal, oil pulling, and eating certain foods.
Still, many people wonder why their teeth do not attain that whiteness they desire and ask whether natural teeth whitening actually works. At Guzaitis Dental Group, we intend to separate facts from fiction and guide you on how to achieve your teeth desired whiteness.
The Risk of Using Fruits for Teeth Whitening
Fruits
The Myth: You will hear ever so often that you can whiten and brighten your teeth using household staples like lemons, apple cider vinegar, and oranges. Others will add that mango and pineapples are a better choice as they contain digestive enzymes. You will get suggestions that baking soda can do the magic because it is a little abrasive.
Facts: All the fruits mentioned above are a great choice when you make them a part of your diet. However, these fruits contain acid, which puts your naturally white teeth at risk if the two come into contact for prolonged periods. If you use any of these fruits to scrub your teeth, the acid will wear down the enamel, which is the hard outer covering of your teeth that protects them from tooth sensitivity and cavities.
Charcoal
The Myth: You have heard the popular saying that using activated charcoal to scrub your teeth or other items like baking soda-hydrogen will restore the lost shine in your smile.
Facts: Activated charcoal is neither safe nor effective as a tooth-whitening product. Charcoal is also quite abrasive, and using it repeatedly can remove the protective cover on your teeth, leaving them even more yellow than they looked before.
Oils
Myths: There is an emerging trend that has got many people talking about how oil pulling can make your teeth whiter. Oil pulling is a method that originated from an Indian folk remedy, and it entails swooshing coconut or other essential oils around your mouth.
The aspect that informed the teeth-whitening properties of this process emerged from the milky white liquid that people spat out after swooshing the coconut oil around the mouth. The assumption was that the milky-white substance contained toxins and bad bacteria that damage teeth, and so the process leaves your teeth shinier and brighter.
Facts: There is no scientific evidence showing that swooshing coconut or other essential oils around your mouth removes bad bacteria and other toxins to leave your teeth looking whiter.
Natural Teeth Whitening Methods That Actually Work
There are a few natural teeth whitening methods that work if you adopt them diligently, including the following.
Dietary Changes
Some foods and beverages contain tannins that cause teeth staining after long-term exposure. Some of these foods and beverages include tea, coffee, wine, juices, and dark soda. Foods that contain acids also wear down the tooth enamel, leaving your teeth looking yellowish.
One way to prevent the devastating effects of these foods on your teeth is to brush them immediately after having them. At the same time, making major dietary changes is a good way to reduce the risk of staining, such as quitting smoking and any other tobacco products that cause nicotine staining.
High Fiber Foods
High-fiber foods like legumes and vegetables are a good way to neutralize the acid in the mouth. Chewing these foods is one way to protect the enamel on the teeth, which ultimately protects the white parts of the teeth. Beans and leafy greens like spinach are also known to activate the production of saliva, which then helps to clean your mouth of acids that are known to cause destruction.
Why Your Teeth Turn Yellow
Your teeth often turn yellow for two reasons:
- When the enamel becomes too thin, it exposes the yellow, soft tissue called dentin. Dentin has a yellow appearance, and that is why your teeth look yellow.
- Stains are another way that your teeth turn yellow, and avoiding foods that stain your teeth is one way to prevent them.
At Guzaitis Dental Group, we advocate for good oral hygiene. Contact us today for your oral needs.