Natural teeth whitening methods West MI cosmetic dentists

Be honest, if given the option to have a whiter smile it’s likely you would accept the offer. Many adults dream of having that camera-ready smile which is why they turn to natural teeth whitening methods. Unfortunately, “natural” doesn’t always mean safe or healthy. Our West Michigan cosmetic dentists instead recommend professional teeth whitening.

Here’s what you need to know about 3 natural whitening tricks and why they shouldn’t be trusted.

Our Dentists Recommend You Avoid:

1. Using Acidic Fruits on Teeth 

This is a common approach heralded by DIY teeth whitening “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.

Our cosmetic dentists recommend 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 in-office or at-home teeth whitening treatments that use a safe, dental grade whitening gel.

2. Scrubbing With Activated Charcoal or Baking Soda

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, our cosmetic dentists suggest 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 options also allow you to whiten teeth by several shades in one visit to our office or over the course of a few weeks at home.

3. Swishing Oils or Spices Around in Your Mouth

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. Our cosmetic dentists recommend you instead incorporate these ingredients into delicious home cooked meals.

Why Professional Teeth Whitening Wins

Whereas teeth whitening in one of our dental offices 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 MI Smiles Dental, our cosmetic dentists stand by the two teeth whitening options we provide. The safe, yet powerful hydrogen peroxide applied to our custom-made whitening trays make at-home use easy and manageable.

If you’d prefer to come into the office, you can rest assured knowing that the procedure is done under the supervision of our dentists and assisting staff. That means trained eyes are present to monitor the entire process and ensure you’re happy with results.

Brighten Your Smile the Right Way

Turn up the brightness on your smile with professional teeth whitening from our cosmetic dentists in West Michigan. We offer both at-home and in-office methods to best accommodate your lifestyle or preference! Call one of our MI Smiles Dental locations today to schedule an appointment.