Thinking About Natural Teeth Whitening? Read This First to Avoid Disaster!

Turmeric Paste

Tumeric is a root vegetable, bright orange to mustard in color. It is usually dehydrated, made into a fine powder, and stored for prolonged periods. Turmeric is an ancient herb and has been used in food for its medicinal properties and its woody taste to enhance the flavors of curry.

The active compound in turmeric is curcumin, known for its antioxidant, antibacterial, and healing properties. While turmeric has many uses when ingested and even when applied topically to the skin, there has been little evidence to show that turmeric has any whitening effects on teeth.

Although, studies have shown that topical application of turmeric due to its beneficial properties can heal gums, protect against plaque, and promote oral health by eliminating bacteria and lowering infections, don’t get big hopes with turmeric as a teeth whitener.

Conocunt Oil Pulling

This ancient method of cleaning teeth is said to have originated in India. It involves taking a tablespoon of oil and squishing it around in the mouth for up to 20 minutes. The oil can be coconut, sesame, or any edible oil.

This method is effective in reducing harmful bacteria, dissolving plaque, and improving oral hygiene. Since this practice removes plaque, which usually yellows the surface of teeth, it can give your teeth a whiter appearance with consistent use if you suffer from plaque buildup. It, however, does not seem very promising against stains from coffee or smoking.

Strawberry

If you’ve been subjected to the online teeth-whitening frenzy, you probably are left wondering, are strawberries a natural teeth-whitening aid? Well, here’s the truth.

Strawberries are packed with an enzyme called malic acid, which has bleaching properties that, if applied to the teeth, will give a whitening appearance.

It is generally advised to mash a strawberry, mix it with some baking soda, apply it to the teeth, leave it for two minutes, and rinse after. This leaves the teeth whiter and brighter, but here’s the catch.

Malic acid, being a mild acid, if left on teeth for longer periods can corrode the enamel, which is an essential barrier to protect teeth. Therefore, this method is safe only if used in moderation. If you want lasting whitening results, look into a safer option that does not damage the enamel.

Strawberries also contain vitamin C, magnesium, and calcium, which are essential for teeth and gum health. So while it is not recommended to whiten your teeth with strawberries as a routine, you can always munch on them to promote your overall health.

Charcoal

This is another ancient teeth cleaning mechanism and has gained traction on the internet in the past few months. Charcoal is made by slowly burning wood, coconut husks, or similar organic material and later ground into a fine powder.

It is a mild abrasive and helps scrub away dental plaque, leading to a whiter appearance (if staining was caused by plaque) and a cleaner feel.

There is little evidence to show that charcoal helps in whitening beyond the surface; therefore, it can’t be used to get a whitening effect for deeper stains.

Consistent use of charcoal to clean teeth can hurt teeth’s health as it may corrode away the enamel, which is an essential barrier for the teeth.

Baking soda

This method involves making a thick paste by mixing baking soda and water, sometimes with lemon juice, and applying it to the teeth. While the American Dental Association generally considers baking soda safe on teeth, it is not an effective teeth-whitening agent. Just as all other at-home natural teeth whiteners mentioned above works well only for mild plaque and staining and can have an abrasive effect on the enamel.

Homemade Whitening Powders

A typical mixture of at-home teeth whitening powder will combine any of these ingredients: baking soda, charcoal, turmeric, sea salt, calcium carbonate powder, or bentonite clay mixed with an essential oil such as peppermint.

Other antibacterial and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as clove, may also be added. While these ingredients are all beneficial for removing bacteria, cleaning teeth, and scrubbing away plaque, they are not ideal whitening solutions for stains that go beyond the enamel.

As mentioned earlier, anything that scrubs the enamel will also corrode it, leading to exposed teeth, leading to more discoloration, weakened structure, and a higher risk of other oral health problems such as cavities and decay.

While teeth whitening powders and whitening foods offer an economical solution, they are not recommended for long-term use to either clean the teeth or whiten them, reasons for which are discussed below:

1. Surface abrasion

All the natural methods discussed above are usually powdered forms, which is why they might risk scrubbing away the enamel of the teeth. Enamel protects the sensitive layer of dentin underneath the teeth, scrubbing it away leads to sensitivity, loss of color, and cavities. In the long run, this will damage the teeth more than protect them. Therefore, it is recommended to use these methods with caution.

2. Surface level whitening

All the natural methods discussed above are usually powdered forms. While they come packed with active ingredients and healing products, such as turmeric, and are generally beneficial for the teeth, they are not suited for whitening. Methods that do actually whiten teeth, such as strawberry or lemon juice mixes, will result after leaving acid on the teeth, which damages the enamel.

Not recommended for long-term use

Ancient methods worked in the past because they complimented the eating habits of those times. Modern-day teeth are subjected to sugar-loaded and acidic fizzy drinks, frequent dark coffee, tobacco, vaping, and more use of alcohol. This stains the teeth to an extent that goes beyond the surface-level enamel and requires a more thorough approach, such as the use of hydrogen peroxide to get the desired whitening effect.

Natural Teeth Whitening Strips:

These are teeth-bleaching strips coated with whitening agents such as a hydrogen peroxide gel. The strips are pasted on the surface of the teeth and left for a prescribed time. The process is simple but does not offer precise or intensive whitening, and gums are often exposed to bleaching agents that might cause irritation.

Whitening strips despite being very popular due to their low price tag and easy availability, don’t promise lasting or intensive whitening results.

Natural Teeth Whitening Gel:

Made to be used on the go, convenient and hassle-free. Teeth whitening pens are filled with hydrogen peroxide concentrate that is brushed on teeth. They offer precision, convenience, and a quick solution. However, the whitening results are relatively mild, and for lasting results, they need to be paired with other teeth whitening options.

Natural Teeth Whitening Kits:

Teeth whitening kits like those offered by ALIGNERCO come with a complete at-home whitening solution. They provide an affordable alternative to in-office whitening and are more effective than traditional whitening methods as well as over-the-counter options.

A typical whitening kit contains gel with active whitening compounds in a tube or pen, a teeth tray, gloves, instructions, and an LED (Light-Emitting Diode) mouthpiece.

Depending on the instructions, either the teeth are coated with the gel or the mouth tray is lined with it and then placed on the teeth and exposed to LED light. The gel is activated after exposure to LED light. These at-home whitening kits promise effective whitening without the hefty price tag.

Natural Teeth Whitening Toothpaste:

This method, although it won’t give you dramatic results overnight, is very reliable and affordable. Natural teeth whitening toothpastes contain ingredients like cloves, neem, and bleaching agents such as hydrogen peroxide.

Whitening with toothpaste is convenient and most suitable for mild stains. Many brands boast of their whitening toothpaste miracles, and some actually perform really well too. These over-the-counter toothpastes are formulated with stain-dissolving and mild bleaching agents that make them easy to use on a daily basis.

Whitening toothpastes are, however, not effective against dark stains and neither do they promise lasting results. For a quick and dramatic whitening effect, customers either pay a visit to the clinic or go for at-home whitening kits.

For minor whitening needs, a whitening toothpaste is sufficient.

Natural Teeth Whitening Mouthwash:

These mouthwashes are relatively new to the market. They were introduced to meet the growing demands of customers who wish to opt for non-alcoholic and fluoride-free mouthwash options. These mouthwashes will generally contain natural ingredients like charcoal powder, papain (an enzyme derived from papaya that dissolves stains), spearmint, and whitening agents like hydrogen peroxide or hyaluronic acid.

They don't offer a dramatic whitening effect or work against stubborn stains, however, when paired with a whitening toothpaste and a whitening kit, they can help retain the brightness of your smile for a longer time.

Natural Teeth Whitening Pen:

These are usually made to be used on the go and offer a convenient and hassle-free teeth-whitening solution. These pens are filled with hydrogen peroxide concentrate that is brushed on teeth. Although they offer precision, convenience, and a quick solution, their whitening results are relatively mild, and for lasting results, they need to be paired with other whitening options. They usually work best to offer quick touch-ups alongside other teeth whitening kits.

Natural Teeth Whitening for Sensitive Teeth:

If you suffer from sensitive teeth, the ideal solution is to use mild teeth whiteners or whitening products formulated specifically for sensitive teeth. They may not whiten teeth as much as the regular options due to the low concentration of peroxide but are safe to use and tested to be effective for sensitive teeth.

Natural Teeth Whitening Safe for Pregnancy:

While there is no research that says natural teeth whitening isn’t safe for pregnant women, this is limited to traditional methods such as those mentioned above. Teeth whitening that makes use of peroxide or other lab-made ingredients is recommended to be delayed until after pregnancy.

Natural Teeth Whitening for Kids:

Teeth whitening products that use hydrogen peroxide or other bleaching agents are not recommended for children under the age of 12. Kids who do not have all their permanent teeth erupted are at risk of sensitivity and tooth damage since their enamel has not yet calcified, which takes about two years after a permanent tooth eruption.

You can, however, sparingly use the at-home teeth whitening remedies mentioned above that do not involve any peroxide.

Highly Concentrated Solution

Hydrogen peroxide is generally considered safe for teeth whitening as long as used in appropriate concentrations of 3% to 6%. Anything over and above this can be harmful to the teeth unless used under your dentist’s supervision.

Prolonged Duration

Hydrogen peroxide is an acid and letting its solution sit on the teeth for a prolonged duration, beyond what is safely prescribed can severely harm the enamel.

Frequent Use

Using the hydrogen peroxide on the teeth too frequently will wear down the enamel making the teeth more vulnerable to sensitivity and decay. Always follow the recommended usage frequency.