Staining Occurs In Many Ways
Tea, coffee, red wine and smoking can all lead to tooth discolouration and staining. It is therefore understandable that more and more people are turning to tooth whitening with the aim of improving their smile. However, not everyone turns to professional tooth whitening, preferring to use do-it-yourself (DIY) remedies. However, as recently exposed by the BBC, many DIY remedies for tooth whitening do far more harm than good for your teeth - we reveal why below:
Using Abrasives To Whiten Teeth - e.g. baking soda, charcoal
Baking soda is extremely effective at removing tooth surface stains BUT it is so grainy and abrasive you will also remove vital layers of your enamel. Over time you will brush away more and more enamel, leading to sensitivity to hot and cold, as well as teeth that are and thin & worn in appearance. There is also some evidence that the baking soda may damage the "glue" that holds your fixed retainers or braces!
Using Acids To Whiten Teeth - e.g. vinegar, strawberries, lemon juice
Leaving acid on your teeth for just a minute leads to destruction of tooth enamel, removing much more than just surface stains. Since acid weakens your enamel, as you brush your teeth to remove the acid this would cause even more harm. Hence, the general rule is to wait at least 30 minutes before brushing your teeth after eating anything acidic. As acid continues to erode enamel, your teeth will appear to yellow as the enamel layer on your teeth becomes thinner (because you can see the underlying yellowy dentine). A common side effect of this is increased sensitivity.
Using Oil For "Teeth Pulling" - e.g. coconut oil
There is no evidence that using oil actually causes you any harm (unless you are swallowing it). However, there is also little evidence for whitening from oil-pulling. There have been some studies to suggest that it reduces the amount of microorganisms in your mouth and increased gingival health, but this should not replace the standard methods you are already using (toothbrushing twice daily, flossing or use of interdental brushes).
Using Whitening Toothpastes
Tooth whitening toothpastes only go so far to helping you get the smile you want.
Over the counter tooth whitening toothpastes do remove surface stains, but do not actually make the shade of your teeth whiter. This is partly because in the UK, only dental professionals are able to provide a high enough concentration of hydrogen peroxide to have a visible effect.
Going To A Dentist
Going to a dentist for professional tooth whitening is by far the safest and most reliable way of whitening your teeth. You will be given special trays to place (carbamide peroxide) gel into, allowing whitening gel to contact your teeth safely and evenly. Thus, it is also more likely to give you a better uniform colour, and actually physically change the colour of your teeth several shades lighter. The whitening gel is not abrasive and doesn't damage your enamel like many of these DIY products. You may still experience sensitivity but this is usually short lived and all while under the care and guidance of a qualified dental professional.