You’ve probably come across all sorts of ways that claim to improve your oral health and whiten your teeth outside of regular brushing and flossing. But are they effective? Below are a few dental fads that have been gaining rapid popularity over the years, but may actually have a negative impact on your oral health.
- Brushing with Lemon Juice & Baking Soda
- Oil Pulling
- Activated Charcoal
- Rinsing with Hydrogen Peroxide
Lemon juice and baking soda have both been said to have whitening properties, but you really shouldn’t try to brush your teeth with them. Lemon juice is very acidic, and exposure to acid can actually wear down the enamel of your teeth and make them more susceptible to stains. Baking soda can be abrasive and also have the same effect.
The ancient practice of oil pulling has seen a surge in popularity recently, with health writers touting about its breath freshening, whitening, and bacteria-fighting capabilities. All you have to do is swish coconut, sesame, or sunflower oil around your mouth for 20 minutes at a time. Although oil pulling may freshen your breath, it should never replace actual brushing and flossing because it cannot remove bacteria as well as those methods can.
Brushing teeth with activated charcoal has become a frighteningly popular DIY whitening method. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), activated charcoal has not been proven as a safe and effective method of whitening teeth. Charcoal can be abrasive on your teeth and actually make them more yellow by wearing down your enamel, which exposes the underlying yellow dentin.
Hydrogen peroxide is a main ingredient in many whitening products and procedures, but you shouldn’t be using it as a rinse at home. While many people advocate for rinsing with it to whiten teeth faster, you should know that hydrogen peroxide is particularly damaging to gums and repeat exposure will cause more problems in the future.
We Can Help You Safely Get a Whiter Smile!
You don’t need to go to extreme measures to gain cleaner, whiter, and healthier teeth. Springs Village Dentistry offers a full range of cosmetic and dental health services that are completely safe for your teeth. Get in touch with us today and find out more. We look forward to hearing from you!
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