Teeth whitening trends have become a hot topic in recent years. Whitening your teeth with activated charcoal, oil pulling, apple cider vinegar are just some of the methods that are becoming popular. But do these teeth whitening methods really work and are they safe?
Activated charcoal
Activated charcoal is common charcoal. It contains a few other ingredients including peat, coal, wood, and petroleum. You can use it either by mixing activated charcoal powder with water and brushing on teeth. There are plenty of charcoal toothpastes on the market.
How does this teeth whitening trend work? When heated with gas, charcoal becomes activated, making it more porous and allowing it to trap chemicals more effectively than regular charcoal. These chemical-trapping properties remove toxins and stains from teeth to make them whiter.
But does it work? The truth of the matter is that it probably does whiten your teeth a little, but as charcoal is extremely abrasive, it could be causing significant damage to your tooth enamel by “sanding it away”. The enamel is the white shiny coat on your teeth and once it’s worn away, it doesn’t come back.
Oil pulling
Oil pulling is the practice of swishing a tablespoon of liquefied coconut oil around your mouth for 10–20 minutes to whiten teeth.
How does it work? Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which has antimicrobial and antibacterial properties that supposedly suck impurities from your mouth. This technique has been used for centuries to treat gum disease, cavities and bad breath.
But does it work? It depends on what is causing the staining or discolouration to your teeth. It certainly isn’t causing any hard to swish coconut oil around your mouth, but make sure oil pulling isn’t a substitute for good oral hygiene practice like brushing and flossing twice daily, and visiting your dentist for routine cleans every 6 months.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has become popular in recent years for its ability to be used as an all-purpose cleaner, a natural deodorizer, and even to help with weight loss. Mixed with baking soda and applied to teeth as a paste, or swished around the mouth for a few minutes. It works to remove the toxins and stains that darken your teeth’ dentin, making your smile brighter.
How does it work? Apple cider vinegar is a product of crushed, fermented apples. It contains, among other things, amino acids, antioxidants, a little bit of potassium, proteins, enzymes, and good bacteria that make it a natural cleansing powerhouse.
But does it work? It’s true that apple cider vinegar is a good cleaner overall, but it’s very, very acidic. Using it too frequently can start to erode tooth enamel, which not only causes tooth sensitivity but may actually make the surfaces of the teeth appear darker over time as the shiny outer layer breaks down. If you do use apple cider vinegar, use it sparingly.
The best teeth whitening trends
The best teeth whitening trend is not a trend. If you really want to whiten your teeth with a proven and safe method, stick with a hydrogen peroxide–based product. Hydrogen peroxide has proven to be the most effective ingredient for whitening teeth. Plus, it doesn’t smell, stain, or contain harmful abrasives.
There are a number of products on the market for take-home options or consult your dentist for stronger in-office applications for dramatic teeth whitening results.
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