No, this is not reverse psychology. Our Mullins cosmetic dentist genuinely advises patients to ignore the countless natural teeth whitening tricks advertised online. Why? The simple reason is that they can end up damaging your teeth with little to no shade results. Instead, we recommend professional whitening from our office.
Here are 3 that aren’t to be trusted.
This is a common approach heralded by “experts”. The idea is to rub fresh fruit (or their peels) over your teeth to make them brighter by removing dark stains. Fruits used for this method are naturally acidic and often include lemons, oranges, or pineapples.
Though it might seem fine because these fruits are good for you, the sugar and acid contained within them can cause tooth decay and enamel erosion. Instead of a whiter smile, you may actually do more damage to your teeth in the long run. After all, enamel is what helps protect you from tooth sensitivity and cavities.
Dr. Blevins recommends you stick to consuming these fruits in their whole form as a snack or healthy side. If you’re still interested in a whiter smile, ask us about our at-home teeth whitening treatment that uses a safe, dental grade whitening gel.
Toothpastes or homemade mixes containing activated charcoal as an ingredient are very popular as they promise whiter, shinier results. However, there is no proven evidence that clearly shows dental products with charcoal are safe or effective.
In reality, charcoal scrubs or pastes made from baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are very abrasive. Repeated use can wear away enamel and cause the next layer of your tooth, dentin, to become visible. Dentin is softer and yellow in appearance, so not what you want showing if you’re looking for whiter teeth.
If you want to use a whitening toothpaste, Dr. Blevins suggests finding one that has the ADA Seal of Acceptance. That means it has been clinically tested to be safe and effective for your smile. Our professional teeth whitening also allows you to whiten teeth by several shades over the course of a few weeks at home.
The practice of “oil pulling” has roots in ancient India and is said to pull toxins out through the gums and mouth. Oftentimes, coconut oil is chosen, swished around the mouth for a short period of time, and spat out. Spices like turmeric are also applied to teeth in combination with the oil to enhance the natural whitening properties of the two.
However, no credible scientific evidence so far has shown oil pulling or turmeric to be particularly powerful whitening agents. Dr. Blevins recommends you instead incorporate these ingredients into delicious home cooked meals.
Whereas teeth whitening from our Mullins dental office is safe for your enamel, natural remedies can often cause damage to that part of your tooth. Many times, the ingredients used are too rough or abrasive for teeth despite being natural.
At Blevins Dentistry, we stand by the teeth whitening that we provide. The safe, yet powerful hydrogen peroxide applied to our custom-made whitening trays make at-home use easy and manageable. You can rest assured knowing that the supplies are dental-grade and approved by Dr. Blevins himself.
Shortcuts to a whiter smile using basic ingredients may sound ideal but they can often do more harm than good. Instead of brightening your teeth by a few shades, you may end up with less enamel over time. Our cosmetic dentist in Mullins, SC, can provide you with safe, effective teeth whitening supplies to use at home.
Call Blevins Dentistry today at (843) 561-4039 to request an appointment.
We Can’t Wait to Help You Create Your Dream Smile!