More and more people are turning to teeth whitening in an effort to have a more vibrant, more radiant smile. But with so much information available online, it’s simple to run across myths and false information about teeth whitening that can make it difficult to understand the procedure. We’ll dispel the top ten dental whitening misconceptions in this blog post so you can tell facts from fantasy and make wise choices regarding your oral health.
DIY Trend: Brushing With a Lemon Juice and Baking Soda Combination
If combined properly, the basic properties of baking soda and the acidic properties of lemon juice could balance each other out. Nevertheless, there is a chance that the roughness of the baking soda mixture or the acidity of the lemon juice, if combined improperly, will wear down the tooth enamel. If a patient enjoys the odor-canceling qualities of baking soda, demonstrate the risk of brushing with lemon juice alone, let alone exposing teeth to it!
DIY Tip: Using Activated Charcoal to Clean
Dental care is all about charcoal. It is present in toothpaste ranging from high-end brands to those from the dollar store, and there are even DIY tutorials available online. It must be accomplishing something if it’s so well-liked, right? Peroxide, including both hydrogen and carbamide peroxide, is the only chemical that has been shown to genuinely lighten the color of dental enamel. The charcoal’s abrasiveness might aid in removing stains that already exist, but it won’t lighten the tooth’s color. Patients who use charcoal brushes run the danger of over-abrading their enamel, which is irreversibly damaged. Actually, because of the stark contrast of the black charcoal deposit (which is often left in the gums and spaces between the teeth since it is very hard to remove), many people who brush with charcoal that is activated may feel as though their teeth are actually whiter.
DIY Tip: Extraction of oil whitens teeth.
The modern Ayurvedic technique of oil pulling has its origins in Southeast Asia and dates back thousands of years. Practitioners recommended gargling or swaying with oils such as sesame or coconut oil in order to balance an individual’s doshas, which combine to determine an individual’s general health.
Coconut oil is now commonly recommended as a teeth-whitening method in oil extraction products and do-it-yourself guides.
Reality:
The claim that oil pulling helps whiten teeth is unfounded. In the West, research on oil pulling for dental health is still in its early stages. There is little data to draw any firm conclusions, however, a few tiny pilot studies suggest that oil pulling may be helpful in lowering the number of bacteria colonies.
According to a meta-analysis of research, oil pulling did not seem to significantly reduce gingivitis or plaque. The usefulness of oil pulling for teeth whitening has only been examined in one study, and the findings were somewhat encouraging. However, just 60 patients were involved in the trial. There is no evidence that oil pulling, an antiquated method, can whiten teeth.
Myth: You can do at-home tooth whitening.
The darkening on your teeth should be manageable at home because toothpaste these days may supposedly lighten your teeth up to several shades. Will you ever require dental care again?
Truth:
It will take a lot more effort to whiten some teeth than others. Apart from jokes, you will undoubtedly need to visit the dentist once again. Products offer a lot of promises, but in actuality, oral health is far more complicated than advertisements for toothpaste suggest. Even if DIY teeth whitening at home can produce noticeable results, there are some situations that are best left to the expertise of a dentist.
Many toothpastes make the promise that they can lighten your teeth several shades, but Dr. Goldstein cautions against believing such claims. Your teeth should be thoroughly bleached, either in the dentist’s office or at home, if they have a more yellow tint. Grey, dark brown or blue teeth will be quite difficult to bleach, so I suggest letting the dentist handle this procedure.
Additionally, the accumulation of calculus, or hardened plaque, might make it more difficult for whitening treatments to penetrate your enamel.
One of the issues is that the whitening treatment won’t work very well if your teeth are normally discolored, have calculus buildup, or have other issues. Dr. Field provides an explanation. Thus, having your teeth cleaned to get rid of calculus and stains will make such items function much better.
In summary
People may take control of their dental health and get a brighter, more self-assured smile by learning the truth and dispelling the myths about teeth whitening. To guarantee a teeth-whitening procedure that is both safe and successful, speaking with an oral surgeon is essential. Although teeth whitening procedures are now more widely available, it is crucial to remember that seeing a dentist before having any work done is still necessary. Dentists are qualified to evaluate a patient’s oral health and offer tailored advice on the safest and most efficient teeth-whitening procedure. People can attain their desired outcomes without jeopardizing their oral health by consulting an expert.