White is the on-trend color for kitchens, baths, automobiles, and even teeth! It was reported that in 2020 almost 37 million Americans used teeth whitening treatments.1 There are many positives to having pearly white teeth. A perception of youthfulness is a major positive, as yellowed teeth are common with seniors.
As dental enamel wears down with age the underlying yellowish dentin shows through. White teeth are also associated with health and vitality, giving the individual with white teeth confidence. Many people choose to whiten their teeth prior to special occasions and after teeth straightening procedures.
You should always consult your dentist before using “at home” tooth-whitening products.
Your dentist can advise on how to properly use over-the-counter products and can tell you if it is advisable for your situation. Some teeth, like those with porcelain crowns of composite tooth-colored bondings will not take bleach and may appear as a different color than your newly whitened teeth. This is because dentists match the color of these teeth to the existing color of your teeth at the time of the procedure. Your dentist will also caution you that exceeding the time that whitening solution is applied to teeth can result in dehydrated teeth and increased tooth sensitivity.2
When choosing an over-the-counter teeth whitening product, be sure to choose a product with the American Dental Association (ADA) Seal of Acceptance.3
Natural isn’t Always Effective
News stories and social media posts contain a number of “natural” ways to whiten teeth, without the use of peroxide. Over-the-counter teeth whitening products contain anywhere from 3 to 20 percent peroxide and the whitening treatments provided through most dentist offices contain about 15 to 43 percent peroxide.4 Many of these “natural” ways to whiten teeth haven’t been clinically proven to be effective.5
The word “natural” leads people to believe these purported methods of whitening teeth are safe and the reverse can actually be true — some “natural” methods can actually harm your teeth.
Natural Harm
Swishing with apple cider vinegar or rubbing the peels of acidic foods, such as lemons and oranges over your teeth and then brushing with something abrasive, like baking soda, is one method often mentioned for getting teeth whiter.
Fruit is great as a snack, but the acid in fruit does wear away your tooth enamel over time. Combining that with an abrasive like baking soda is actually harmful to your enamel. Enamel get softer and can be scratched and wear down faster when you brush your teeth immediately after eating acidic foods.
Another popular natural tooth whitening method is using scrubs like activated charcoal or a baking soda-hydrogen peroxide paste. There is no scientific evidence that scrubs are effective in whitening teeth, nor have they been shown to be safe.6 In fact, scrubs wear down your dental enamel, causing the yellow dentin layer to show through.
Oil pulling, which originated in India, is also a method that is frequently cited for removing toxins from the body, improving oral hygiene and whitening teeth. This method involves using coconut oil like a dental rinse, swishing it around in your mouth to remove bacteria which can turn into plaque that cause your teeth to turn yellow.
Proof?
Lauric acid, which is a component of coconut oil, is known to reduce inflammation and kill bacteria. A number of studies have shown that swishing your mouth with coconut oil on a daily basis can reduce bacteria in the mouth, along with plaque and gingivitis, but “no scientific studies have proven that oil pulling whitens your teeth.”7 Coconut oil can harden once it leaves the warmth of your mouth, so it should be spit into a waste receptacle, not a sink.
Dental Care Near Me
If you are looking to whiten your teeth safely and effectively, our Commerce Twp dental office has many options. Equipped with the latest technology in teeth whitening services. Dr. Sedki has brightened numerous smiles in our community!
Whiter teeth, no doubt have positive effects on how we feel. So does restoring your smile. Learn more about our cosmetic dentistry services and dental treatments that are also available to help enhance your smile as well as your life. Call for a Free dental consultation today!
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1 Best Professional Teeth Whitening: Cost and In-House Procedure Types, by Amanda Napitu and Natalie Asmussen, 5/19/2023
Link: https://www.dentaly.org/us/teeth-whitening/professional-teeth-whitening/
2, 4 Teeth Whitening and Bleaching, by Wendy C. Fries, 4/2/2023
Link: https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/teeth-whitening-and-bleaching
3 ADA Accepted Products: Tooth Bleaching Products
Link: https://www.ada.org/resources/research/science-and-research-institute/ada-seal-of-acceptance/product-search#sort=%40productname%20ascending&f:@category=[Tooth%20Bleaching%20Products]
5, 7 How to Naturally Whiten Your Teeth at Home
Link: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/whiten-teeth-naturally
6 Natural Teeth Whitening: Fact Vs. Fiction
Link: https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/natural-teeth-whitening