Teeth Whitening: Professional vs DIY

White teeth are a sign of a great smile. Not only that but it can easily boost your confidence when it comes to things like meeting new people for the first time. The trend for whiter teeth grows daily. There are now more DIY teeth whitening products available than ever. At first glance, these products may seem great, but be warned, they may actually be damaging your teeth in the long run.

Common DIY Teeth Whitening Techniques

The rise of the internet ushers in misinformation frequently. Such DIY teeth whitening examples are cleaning techniques like activated charcoal, oil pulling and lemon juice. Fact or fiction?Let's take a look...

Activated Charcoal

It might have the ability to clean stains and absorb toxins that affect teeth but there is no evidence in the matter. On top of no evidence, charcoal acts as an abrasive which will scape away at your teeth's natural enamel. In the long run, it can damage teeth, create holes that will eventually attract more staining as your teeth lose strength. If you are considering charcoal activated toothpaste you may want to hold off until it gets the ADA Seal of Approval.

Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a technique in which a person swishes oil in their mouths for a lengthy period. The ancients said this was a way to remove toxins from the mouth with the added benefit of cleaning. However, there is no evidence that oil pulling has these benefits and more than likely it is a waste of a good cooking ingredient.

Lemon Juice

Using lemon juice on teeth to whiten should be considered bad just through common sense. Time and time again our dentists tell us to avoid acidic foods like coffee and lemonade to protect our teeth's enamel. Acids will eat away at our enamel until it is gone. Our enamel is the last line of defense against acidic foods. Permanent enamel loss is no joke

Are Peroxide And Baking Soda Safe on Teeth?

A recent teeth whitening trend combines baking soda and hydrogen peroxide, but is this wise to use in your mouth? Baking soda is common in many ADA approved tubes of toothpaste, and peroxide is a typical professional tooth whitening ingredient, however, caution is a must here.Both of these ingredients are used professional in teeth cleaning but that doesn't mean jump right in and clean with reckless abandon. Simply put, too much of a good thing can be harmful, especially to your teeth and mouth. Trained professionals are taught the delicate balance with these products and understand the harmful effects on gum tissues and enamel that can cause permanent damage. These should only be used in professional teeth whitening situations and not at home.

Affordable Professional Teeth Whitening is Always Better (and safer)

If you are interested in a whiter and brighter smile, start with the dentist for teeth whitening. A trained professional will not only make your teeth whiter than DIY alternatives but also ensure that your whitening experience is by far safer than at home remedies.This combined with proper oral care such as flossing and brushing regularly will enhance and make your smile more confident. Feel free to contact Esthetic Family Dentistry today to see if you are a good candidate for professional teeth whitening.