Natural Teeth Whitening Methods

November 28, 2022 3:27 pm

baking soda and lemon slices

DIY whitening methods using natural ingredients can actually cause more harm than good for your smile. These are some examples:

  1. Baking Soda

    2. Baking soda is a common ingredient in toothpaste. It is safe for your teeth and a powerful stain remover in these specially-formulated combinations of ingredients. However, baking soda is too abrasive to be applied directly onto your teeth. Brushing with baking soda alone can erode your enamel and irritate your gums.

  2. Lemon Juice

    3. Lemon juice can remove stains from fabric and plastic and can be a tasty addition to certain foods when cooking and baking. However, we do not recommend applying it to your teeth. This acidic substance can quickly wear down your enamel to expose the inner layers of your teeth, which will increase your risk of discoloration, sensitivity, and infection.

  3. Activated Charcoal

    4. Some bloggers claim that activated charcoal binds to stains and pulls them away from enamel. While activated charcoal may temporarily help with stain removal, it’s also incredibly abrasive. This means that with repeated use activated charcoal can thin your enamel, making your teeth more likely to stain in the long run.

  4. Hydrogen Peroxide

    5. Hydrogen peroxide is a key ingredient in many professional teeth whitening solutions, but the strength sold over the counter is not powerful enough to effectively whiten your teeth quickly. Additionally, homemade whitening concoctions with this ingredient can cause throat irritation, stomach upset and vomiting, and even internal burns.

  5. Oil Pulling

    6. Oil pulling involves swishing sesame, coconut, or sunflower oil around your mouth for 30 minutes. This practice likely won’t hurt your teeth as a supplement to your oral hygiene routine, but we do not recommend oil pulling as a substitute for daily brushing and flossing. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that oil pulling is effective at removing impurities and staining properties.

Cosmetic Dentist in McKinney, TX

Our professional recommendation for whitening your teeth is to visit your dentist for professional teeth whitening treatment. At Serene Dentistry, we offer two types of whitening: in-office and at-home, so you can choose an option that is right for your schedule and budget. Professional teeth whitening utilizes powerful ingredients that won’t harm your smile. Best of all, you will enjoy a dramatically whiter smile! Paired with a consistent oral hygiene routine, your results can last for months.

So if you are interested in achieving a whiter smile safely, reach out to our office for a cosmetic dentistry consultation! We look forward to hearing from you.

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