{"id":834,"date":"2017-10-11T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2017-10-11T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/\/hudsonhighlandsdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/diy-teeth-whitening-trends-fact-fiction-2\/"},"modified":"2017-10-11T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2017-10-11T00:00:00","slug":"diy-teeth-whitening-trends-fact-fiction-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mydentalpracticeblog.com\/hudsonhighlandsdentistry\/dental-care-blog\/diy-teeth-whitening-trends-fact-fiction-2\/","title":{"rendered":"DIY Teeth Whitening Trends: Fact Or Fiction?"},"content":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n

\"\" TRENDS IMPACT JUST ABOUT<\/strong>\u00a0every aspect of life, from slang and fashion to which toys are collectibles this year and which fad diet everyone\u2019s aunt is doing. Most trends are harmless symptoms of an ever-evolving society and culture, but when they affect the ways we take care of ourselves, they can become serious. In recent years, do-it-yourself teeth whitening has been a \u201ctrendy\u201d topic, so let\u2019s take a look at a few of the more popular methods. <\/p>\n

Charcoal Versus Tooth Enamel<\/strong><\/h3>\n

As counterintuitive as it seems to rub black powder on your teeth and expect them to become whiter, the rationale behind the idea makes sense. Charcoal is extremely porous and absorbent, and has been used even in hospitals to safely neutralize toxins. In theory, it could do the same for your teeth. However, charcoal isn\u2019t just porous, it\u2019s also <\/strong>abrasive<\/strong><\/a>. Even as it absorbs harmful compounds from your mouth and disrupts bacterial populations, it could also be scraping away your enamel<\/strong>, doing more harm than good. Until we know more about the effects of charcoal on teeth, it\u2019s safer to give that home remedy a pass. <\/p>\n

Lemon Juice: Dissolving Stains Or Dissolving Teeth?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The enamel on your teeth is the hardest substance in your body, but it is extremely susceptible to erosion by acid<\/strong>. Your saliva keeps the pH in your mouth balanced to protect your enamel, but any time you eat or drink something acidic, that pH is disrupted and your teeth are vulnerable. Using lemon juice<\/a> on your teeth in hopes of whitening them is, therefore, likely to cause a lot of enamel erosion, and once that enamel is gone, it\u2019s gone for good<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Oil Pulling: An Ancient Folk Remedy<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Oil pulling involves swishing oil (typically coconut, sunflower, sesame, or olive oil) around in one\u2019s mouth for up to twenty minutes. Proponents of oil pulling claim it has numerous health benefits, including teeth whitening, but the American Dental association doesn\u2019t recommend it because there is no scientific evidence<\/a> to back up these claims<\/strong>. <\/p>\n

Strawberries And Bananas<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Strawberries do contain some citric acid, but they also contain malic acid (particularly when ripe), which actually can give your teeth a whiter appearance. Bananas contain potassium, magnesium, and manganese, all of which promote healthier teeth and can help remove surface stains. So these two do-it-yourself teeth whiteners may actually provide some benefit<\/a><\/strong>! Both fruits still contain sugar, however, so you should still brush your teeth with dentist approved toothpaste after eating them<\/strong>. Curious about those whitening mouthpieces that emit blue light you see all over social media? Watch the video below to learn whether or not they’re really effective<\/strong>: