Do natural teeth whitening remedies work?
If you're considering saving some money by trying a natural teeth whitening remedy then here's some information about those common remedies that you might want to know before giving them a try.
As with any teeth whitening treatment (natural or not) we recommend checking with your dentist before applying anything to your teeth, gums or mouth.
Strawberries - FALSE
It is claimed that rubbing mashed strawberries with or without baking soda will whiten your teeth. This is false and was documented quite well on LiveScience.com . The truth is that without peroxide present you're not going to whiten your teeth although you will remove small deposits that are loitering in your mouth which will create a temporary cleaner appearance.
Coconut oil - FALSE
Coconut oil has lots of health benefits but teeth whitening is not one of them. Swishing your mouth with coconut oil then brushing is apparently an ancient whitening remedy made popular by some celebrities advocating it but there is no proof whatsoever that this works.
Oranges and lemons - FALSE
It is often claimed that removing those white bits that cover the flesh of the orange and lemon can be rubbed against your teeth then dissolve any stains that are covering them and make them whiter. This is false. If you do this then the only thing that will be dissolving is your tooth enamel which will make your teeth hyper sensitive and painful. Avoid.
Banana peel - FALSE
Again, it is claimed that rubbing the inside of a banana peel against your teeth for a few minutes will whiten your teeth gradually over a few weeks. Similarly to strawberries it is true that the banana peel will remove deposits on the surface of your teeth creating a "cleaner" appearance. However, without hydrogen peroxide present the minerals present within the peel will not be enough to penetrate your teeth and whiten the body of the tooth.
Cider vinegar - FALSE
Cider vinegar is relatively weak in acidity compared to other vinegars but drench your teeth in this stuff and your tooth enamel will be a light scrape or brush away from going bye bye. The whiteness of your teeth however will not have changed. Stick to using this on salad leaves.
Baking soda - FALSE
This is the one that we come across most frequently and it basically involves mixing baking soda with water then brushing your teeth with it. The good news is that this will certainly brighten your teeth and clean your mouth quite well. The bad news is its not going to make a material or long lasting difference in the whiteness of your teeth.
It is however a nice top up between professional treatments, just be careful when applying as its quite abrasive stuff. Rather than a brush try using your finger tip or a clean wet cloth to apply and rinse thoroughly. Finally, don't use this process more than 2 to 3 times a year as it will strip the enamel from your teeth.
So is there anything that will naturally whiten my teeth?
Unfortunately not. All natural remedies are missing the vital ingredient that is hydrogen peroxide which is needed to open the pores of your teeth so that the body of the tooth can be whitened. Hydrogen perxide is only present in the products that you can buy in the supermarket or from dentists.
However, you can use strawberries, banana peel or baking soda to clean and brighten your teeth between whitening treatments. How often you do so depends on which one you opt for.
Warning
However you opt to clean or whiten your teeth just remember a few things:
- Always seek the advice of a dentist before experimenting with your teeth
- Don't use the above as a replacement for regular brushing, flossing or mouthwash
- If using other whitening products such as toothpaste or mouthwash regularly then don't combine them with the above as you can permanently damage your tooth enamel
Teeth whitening at Osborne Family Dentists
Osborne Family Dentists can provide all of the advice that you need in relation to the safe whitening of your teeth and what the best options are for you. Our cosmetic teeth whitening treatments are available from £395 and this includes an initial free consultation to discuss your needs.
Contact us
Tel: 0191 230 4565 Email: info@osbornefamilydentists.com
Newcastle dentist clinic: 16-18 Hood Street, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 6JQ
North Shields dentist clinic: 3 Nile Street, North Shields, NE29 0BE