Top 5 Teeth Whitening Remedies

Teeth whitening brightens your smile, boosting self-esteem and confidence. You should practice good oral hygiene, brushing for two minutes twice a day and flossing once daily to maintain your smile.

Hydrogen peroxide (used in a lot of over the counter whitening products) bleaches the organic compounds found in tooth stains to a lighter color. Other ingredients that may whiten teeth are pineapples (bromelain) and strawberries (malic acid).

Lemon and Baking Soda

Lemon is known for its deodorizing properties and stain-removing powers, but it also helps whiten teeth when combined with baking soda. This combination forms a paste that can be used to brush the teeth and produce a whitening effect.

Baking soda is a natural product that has many health benefits. It is alkaline in nature and improves bowel function, while also strengthening the immune system. It is gentle enough to remove stains from the teeth without damaging enamel, but it needs to be used correctly and regularly for best results.

Most home whitening methods involve mixing baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) with lemon juice to create a paste that can be brushed onto the teeth and rinsed off. However, this method can lead to enamel erosion, increased tooth sensitivity, and gum irritation. It is therefore recommended that it is only performed two to three times a week and in moderation.

Professional teeth whitening Laurel MD treatments are more effective and safer because they are conducted under controlled conditions.

Strawberries

Many people have heard that strawberries whiten teeth. It’s a natural home remedy that is easy to use and costs very little. Unfortunately, it’s not very effective and can actually do more harm than good. The abrasive nature of strawberries combined with the acidic content of baking soda can wear down enamel, leaving teeth vulnerable to sensitivity and decay.

The malic acid in strawberries does help break down some surface stains, but not nearly as effectively as commercially available teeth whitening Laurel MD chemicals. To take advantage of the whitening properties of strawberries, simply mash a ripe strawberry and apply it to your teeth for a few minutes before brushing.

In addition to whitening, strawberries offer several other dental benefits. They are a great source of vitamin C, which helps to strengthen the gums and reduce plaque build-up. Additionally, strawberries contain ellagitannins, which can reduce bacteria that cause tooth discoloration and prevent bacterial growth in the mouth.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal is becoming trendy in teeth whitening Laurel MD products, such as toothpastes and mouthwashes. It’s used as a natural way to remove coffee and wine stains, and is advertised as a gentle alternative to whitening strips and bleaches.

Despite the claims, there’s little scientific evidence to support the use of activated charcoal as a teeth whitener. In fact, it can be so abrasive that it wears down the hard layer of enamel, exposing the soft yellow dentin beneath.

Moreover, the charcoal’s abrasive texture could damage any fillings, crowns, or other dental work. If you decide to use charcoal, we recommend that you follow the ADA’s guideline of choosing a toothpaste with a relative dentin abrasivity of 250 or lower. We also suggest using a charcoal product only for short periods of time or alternating with a fluoride toothpaste. And don’t forget to schedule a visit with your Monterey Peninsula Dental Group dentist for an oral exam before trying any at-home whitening methods.

Wood Ash

A common folk remedy for whitening teeth is to rub them with wood ash. Unfortunately, it’s not a good idea because wood ash contains potassium hydroxide which is damaging to teeth over time.

It’s Alkaline, Soaks Odors and Deter Slugs and Snails

Wood ash is alkaline and can absorb unpleasant odors. Use a bowl of wood ashes in the bathroom or another smelly spot to eliminate odors. It’s also a natural first aid for burns and wounds, killing bacteria and speeding up the healing process.

It’s an Excellent Fertilizer

A sprinkle of wood ash in your compost pile is a great way to add nutrients that are missing from your soil. It’s a good source of calcium, magnesium and potassium. It also helps to balance acidity in your garden. A light dusting of ashes in your vegetable and flower garden is beneficial to fruit trees and berries that prefer alkaline soil, as well as perennials such as heuchera, rhododendron and clematis.