The Facts and Fiction of DIY Teeth Whitening

Teeth Whitening

The value of a dazzling smile full of clean white teeth remains unmatched. It is why so many people are regularly on the hunt to achieve that celebrity-level smile. Articles and DIY tutorials are on the rise, giving seekers a quick and easy fix to stained teeth.

Few of these procedures help. Unfortunately, many of these methods could have adverse effects on your teeth. Additionally, some of these procedures will not work and are often a waste of time. Your teeth are precious and while looking for a dazzling smile is a good move, it should not sacrifice the integrity and strength of these pearls.

Many people fall victim to DIY teeth whitening procedures that ruin their teeth, if not stain them more. In a bid to prevent this from happening anymore, learn about DIY teeth procedures and what they really do.

Baking Soda and Lemon Juice

The cleaning properties of this combination have been stretched to many places, from cleaning sinks to car tires and now teeth. An excellent chunk of the population believes baking soda and lemon juice will help with teeth whitening. This method involved mixing the two ingredients to form a paste that you apply and let sit on your teeth before brushing and rinsing. The truth is that this combination is not suitable for your teeth. Lemon juice is very acidic and will erode your teeth with continued use.

Similarly, baking soda will abrade your teeth due to its abrasive nature. Your enamel will suffer most and will likely disappear. Reserve this cleaning paste for the sink or kitchen countertops.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is another commonly used teeth-whitening product. Often teeth whitening substances claim to have activated charcoal because of how popular it is. Additionally, you will find activated charcoal in some kinds of toothpaste. The substance is acclaimed to give brighter and whiter smiles. Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that shows that products containing activated charcoal have a whitening effect.

Furthermore, like baking soda, activated charcoal is too abrasive. This means that you will be brushing away your enamel, trying to achieve a dazzling smile. Once your enamel is gone, you will have teeth sensitivity issues, and unfortunately, your enamel cannot grow back. You are better off seeking advice from your dentist on teeth-whitening kinds of toothpaste that are safe for your teeth.

Teeth-Whitening Kits

Many teeth whitening kits are found over the counter. They do not require a prescription to purchase, making them easily accessible. Lots of people have tried these products and some work. Others do not and are therefore a waste of time and money. What professional dentists are most worried about when it comes to these teeth-whitening kits is the effects on teeth. People have recorded adverse effects from continued use of these kits, including increased tooth sensitivity, eroded enamel, gum irritation, roughened tooth surface, and damage to tooth restoration procedures.

Additionally, you may notice and undesirable shading, and with time, cracking. Many times, people overuse these teeth whitening products, which heighten the effects of the problems above. If your teeth break under the influence of teeth whitening products, the solution could get into your teeth down to the root canal, which could mean the loss of a tooth. Therefore, avoid these whitening products altogether unless under the advisement of oral hygiene professional.

Turmeric Powder and Coconut Oil

Some kinds of toothpaste also have turmeric as a critical ingredient for tooth whitening. If you have not heard about the toothpaste, you may have heard about the DIY turmeric paste. The paste involves mixing one part coconut oil with one part baking soda and two parts turmeric powder. You then paste the mixture onto your teeth before rinsing with water. Doing this regularly is believed to whiten teeth in a matter of weeks. Like activated charcoal, there is no scientific evidence of turmeric whitening teeth. None of the components have been proven to bleach your teeth. Prolonged exposure to baking soda will erode your enamel, bringing on teeth sensitivity and weakness. The effects of turmeric and coconut oil may remain a mystery, but there is no use using cooking ingredients on your teeth when you could make delicious spicy food.

So What Are My Teeth-Whitening Options?

The best and the only way you should whiten your teeth is at a dentist. Professional teeth whitening is the only way to guarantee that your teeth do not erode or crack under the effects of DIY routines. Before you attempt any DIY practices, be sure to visit your dentist to get you on a safe teeth whitening procedure.

Benefits of Professional Teeth Whitening

When you choose professional teeth whitening, you can enjoy benefits including:

  • Long-lasting effects. Unlike other DIY routines that give results that wear off, professional teeth-whitening gives you long-lasting results. Teeth whitening agents that professionals use have better bleaching agents than those bought over the counter.
  • Safer oral health. Professional teeth-whitening addresses the main disadvantage of DIY teeth whitening procedures. It is safer for your teeth and will preserve your enamel. Your enamel is the layer that protects your teeth from sensitivity.
  • Customized procedures. It is advisable to get a teeth whitening procedure tailored to your needs. You can only get this after a thorough examination of your teeth, including x-rays and digital scans. Professionals will carry out these procedures then tailor the teeth-whitening to your needs. This way, you ensure that the process is not too intense to damage your teeth or too weak to have no effects.
  • Time-efficient. Think about it, would you rather have several procedures with over-the-counter kits or one procedure from a reliable professional? One procedure from a reliable professional is more practical and will speedily give you great results. Therefore, going to the dentist is better.

In conclusion, you should only go for teeth whitening procedures from professional oral caregivers. You will enjoy precise personalization to ensure you get the intensity best for your condition. Also, you won’t have to worry about whitening your teeth for a long time.

Share this post
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
WhatsApp