Whitening your teeth is all the rage these days. All you have to do is walk through the dental care aisle in your local grocery store and you will notice an abundance of chemicals and cleaners all promising a whiter smile. However, while these may work, they are often expensive and can sometimes cause more problems due to their chemical makeup.
To avoid all these nasty chemicals, you may look for a natural solution. While there are plenty of great choices when it comes to holistic remedies, there are a few you will want to avoid. These natural solutions may work for a bit of time, but they can cause some serious damage in the long run. Let’s look at three solutions you should avoid.
Lemon juice or lemon peels
This is a very common solution that you may find on many internet sites as an alternative to nasty chemicals. The treatment works by rubbing lemon peels over the teeth or by brushing with lemon juice. Now this solution may work, but it is also extremely harmful to your teeth. The whitening agent in lemons is citric acid, and it is this acid that can destroy the calcium in your teeth. As the acid reacts to your teeth, they become whiter, but they also become weaker, thus making them more sensitive and can lead to tooth decay. It is best to avoid this solution no matter how much you may like lemons.
Strawberries
This is another common recommendation, and most likely due to strawberries tasting so dang good. However, strawberries are just as dangerous as lemons. These little round fruits of tastiness contain the same type of calcium-depleting acid as lemons, just not nearly as potent. Thus, brushing with strawberry paste is just as dangerous as lemons.
There is a secondary factor to this alternative and that is seeds. If you brush with strawberry paste, there is a good chance you will end up with seeds wedged among your teeth. Not only are these seeds abrasive and hazardous to your enamel, but if you do not floss directly afterwards, the seeds can cause tooth decay and gingivitis. Enjoy strawberries as a snack, but not as a dental care product.
Hardwood Ash
This may be one of the oddest solutions floating around the internet. The solution calls for you to brush your teeth regularly with a hardwood ash paste. The issue is that hardwood ash contains an extremely concentrated amount of potassium hydroxide, also known as lye. This can decimate tooth enamel over repeated use. Sure, this solution will make your teeth whiter, but it is not the healthy white you want. Just like the solutions mentioned above, this will open your teeth to more severe issues, and it will probably taste nasty during the process.
The best thing you can do for white teeth is to develop good oral hygiene. Proper brushing and flossing, in conjunction with limiting your intake of specific foods like lemons and strawberries, is the best way to keep your pearly whites bright and healthy. If you have a question about any teeth whitening system, natural or branded, always ask your dentist what is best for your teeth.