With the rising trend of whitened teeth among celebrities and influencers, natural teeth whitening have gained momentum as an ideal solution to a variety of discoloration issues. A 2017 survey by the Hexa Research conducted with the help of 351 dental professional respondents was able to establish that the global teeth whitening products market will supposedly reach USD 7.40 billion by 2024.
But you, as a customer, have to remember that not every internet search of ‘How to whiten your teeth?’ will get you appropriate and reliable answers. While most teeth whitening methods are competent, you should be aware of the practices to avoid to save your teeth from any permanent damage.
Listed below are six practical natural teeth whitening methods that don’t require the use of any harmful chemicals:
- Brushing twice a day- To save your big bucks from being drained into expensive dental treatments in the future, start from the basics. Brush twice a day with mild toothpaste in addition to flossing for better results.
- Oil pulling – To follow this age-old teeth whitening technique, take one tablespoon of any oil of your choice, be it sesame oil, sunflower oil, or coconut oil, and swish it in your mouth for up to 20 minutes without swallowing. It will help draw out all the toxins and bacteria from your mouth, promoting healthy oral hygiene.
- Using baking soda and hydrogen peroxide paste – Baking soda is a mildly abrasive whitening substance, and hydrogen peroxide is a natural bleaching agent. When used together like a paste, these can help you extract stains from your teeth. Take one part baking soda to two parts of hydrogen peroxide and rub gently over your teeth a few times a week.
- Whitening toothpaste – Most of these kinds of toothpaste contain hydrogen peroxide as a whitening agent, and with regular usage, help restore the brightness of your teeth. But be careful, because in some cases, these natural ingredients could lead to enamel erosion if not used carefully.
- Rub banana, orange, or lemon peels – The citric acid present on the peels of these fruits helps reverse the effects of discoloration. Even though these peels are natural, if you are suffering from teeth sensitivity issues, it is best to avoid the use of these natural remedies.
- Eating a healthy diet – Fruits like pineapple and strawberries contain teeth whitening enzymes such as bromelain and malic acid, respectively. These enzymes undo the discoloration and stain damages that have incurred on your teeth.
- Visiting your dentist routinely – Regular dental appointments save your smile from irreparable damages. Depending on the severity of your case, your dentist might recommend opting for dental veneers or implants. The porcelain veneers act as permanent whitened masks over your discolored teeth.
Apart from the ones mentioned above, there are some natural ingredients you should strictly steer clear of, including:
- Lemon juice – Having a pH of 2.2, lemon juice is highly acidic and hence corrosive to your enamel.
- Strawberries – Eating strawberries and brushing them on your teeth have starkly different effects. While including these in your diet can lead to whitened teeth, rubbing them on your teeth could lead to the production of an acidic deposit harming your oral health.
- Activated Charcoal – Although it is a widely marketed choice for at-home teeth whitening solutions, research has shown that activated charcoal can trigger severe enamel and tooth erosion.
- Sea Salt and Cider Vinegar – Being notably acidic, both sea salt and cider vinegar can lead to an increased risk of tooth sensitivity and decay. Dentists advise keeping away from such damaging agents.
You must now have a clearer understanding of the variety of teeth whitening aspects that you can cater to, to achieve a brighter smile. But if you are searching for a longer-lasting and more dependable alternative to all the at-home remedies, an in-office whitening treatment with a dental professional is your best bet.
Author Bio:
Dr. Anu Isaac, DMD, runs a successful dental practice in Salem, MA. As the founder of Coral Dental Care, she is dedicated to creating healthy, beautiful smiles for her patients and also to educating dental and non-dental community with her engaging articles on all things related to oral health, recent dental innovations, and latest treatment modalities.