Natural Tooth Whitening: does it work?

Many of our patients are interested in natural alternatives to increase their overall health. Along with healthy eating, and natural solutions to health issues, there have been a surge of natural teeth whitening remedies. It is actually alarming how unsafe many of these suggestions are! I am listing a few of the worst here for you, so you know how to handle any questions that might come your way.

Lemon Juice

Brushing teeth with Citrus lemon juice, or scratching the peel over the teeth, are among the most common suggestions to whiten teeth naturally. Unfortunately, they are also among the worst. The way lemon juice acts is to rob enamel of calcium and is highly acidic.  Sure stains come off, but so does the enamel. And it often makes your teeth very sensitive.

Strawberries

Some actually suggest crushing strawberries into a paste like mush and covering your teeth with it. It might taste nice, but it is perhaps just about as damaging as lemon juice. Strawberries too incorporate acid, which is harmful to the teeth.

Vegetables

Veggies such as celery, carrots, broccoli, and cucumbers are naturally abrasive. Some recommend that eating these veggies actually provide whitening as they brush away stain while being chewed. A stretch? Surely!

Wood Ash (Lye)

The potassium hydrate oxide found in hardwood tree ash functions as a blanching agent and will whiten teeth. Steer clear of this one as Potassium leaves damaged enamel in your teeth over time and taste dreadful!

Baking Soda

This option has been around for years, and with good reason. It is in reality effective in removing stains. It is abrasive however, and overuse of baking soda can actually yellow teeth over time by thinning the enamel.

Peroxide

Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide is alleged to whiten teeth. This is true to an extent, but keep in mind that over the counter hydrogen peroxide isn’t as concentrated as the hydrogen peroxide found in professional bleaching products. Beware! Rinsing long term with peroxide has been proven to cause tooth sensitivity.

Whitening at the dental office or even using over-the-counter products is effective. And it doesn’t create the problems associated with the “natural whiteners.”

Doug Larson, DDS
42 West Campbell Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008
408.374.6160

Doug Larson, DDS leads the team at The Smile Specialists in Campbell, California. The dental practice is a progressive cosmetic, restorative and preventative family dental practice. We provide our patients with the most comprehensive dentistry available in a comfortable state-of-the art facility, the planet can be proud of. Our services are designed to maintain the health of our patients’ teeth, improve their overall oral wellness and provide beautiful smiles. Our team works to empower patients with the knowledge necessary to make educated choices about their dental treatment options. We also understand that for many, a trip to the dentist can be a source of anxiety. We want to help you reduce that anxiety. Call and allow us to help.

Dentistry has transformed in recent years. We’ll give you an experience that will change your mind about going to the dentist and even make you feel good about coming back.