Myths About Natural Teeth Whitening

Natural teeth whitening according to ADA such as scrubs, spices & oils, and fruits like lemons, oranges, apple cider & vinegar aren't as efficient as you may think, rather they can be harmful to your teeth. They are acidic & can wear away your enamel when using them for longer period of time. As far as using the scrubs like charcoal & baking soda, they are too abrasive to the teeth that they can also tear away layers of enamel slowly thus exposing the secondary tissue called dentin. Dentin is softer than enamel & contains tubules that when abraded can cause sensitivity to the teeth because these tubules are close to the nerve or pulpal tissue of the teeth. Lastly, beliefs on  the spices like turmeric & oils  like coconut oil for whitening the teeth doesn't have any scientific evidence that those can really whiten teeth.
 
The best way to get a pearly white, shiny  & healthy smile is to go to your dentist regularly, brush your teeth 2x a day, floss at least daily, use some whitening toothpaste with ADA Seal of acceptance. Stay away from highly staining foods & drinks like coffee, tea, and avoid smoking.

When you really want to whiten your teeth use product that contains the ADA Seal. Find some over the counter products to use or go to your dentist. Ask your dentist if you are a good candidate for whitening or bleaching. 

Brought to you by Dr. Jeff Velasquez (at https://www.jeffvelasquezdds.com/), a cosmetic dentist in Long Beach. Please call our office at 562-247-4683
​By VbAV