In recent years, people have grown increasingly concerned about the appearance of their teeth. As such, interest in teeth whitening has soared. There are currently a plethora of different services and over-the-counter products that promise consumers a whiter smile. However, many consumers are reluctant to bite because the price isn’t exactly to their liking or they fear the product(s) or service(s) will be downright ineffective. Whatever the case may be, the use of homemade whitening products is beginning to grow at a rather alarming rate. While some may see no harm in trying to save money with teeth whitening pursuits, it turns out that trying whiten your smile on your own can be dangerous. Your average person isn’t sufficiently educated in dentistry to know that homebrew whitening systems can be troublesome, and may thus lead you in the wrong direction.
Most homebrew whitening systems entail the use of readily available household products. For example, one popular one makes use of strawberries. Strawberries contain malic acid. This acid has the potential to lift tooth stains. However, the acid also has the potential to remove dental enamel. Dental enamel safeguards your teeth against dental decay, and once sufficiently removed, leaves your teeth vulnerable to cavities. Not only can strawberries remove the protective layer than encompasses your teeth, but they can also contribute to dental caries thanks to their sugary nature. It’s unfortunate that many people don’t know this and proceed to use strawberries in their whitening regimen.
A similar regimen makes use of lemon juice, which again is acidic and capable of removing dental enamel. Those who use the strawberry and lemon teeth whitening systems tend to use them in conjunction which baking soda, which is abrasive. Combining the abrasive effects of baking soda with the enamel-eliminating effects of these fruits is dangerous, and can lead to substantial dental damage.
Those looking to whiten their teeth should undoubtedly stick to tried and tested methods. Some homebrew methods that are safe include utilizing baking soda (on its own), small amounts of hydrogen peroxide, etc. You should speak to your dentist before embarking on any sort of whitening journey to ensure you won’t cause damage to your teeth. It’s always advisable to make use of over-the-counter products and whitening services that have a good track record. Yes, taking this route could prove to be more expense, but it is much safer in the overall scheme of things.
Your teeth are one of your most valuable assets, and something you should work to safeguard. Exercise good judgment when attempting to improve their appearance and you should have them, in a healthy state, for years to come.
