The desire for a whiter smile can lead some people to make questionable decisions about their oral health. At-home methods of teeth whitening can be risky for multiple reasons. Should you wish for a brighter, whiter smile for the new year, your best and safest bet is either an in-office whitening treatment at G Dental or one of our professional take-home teeth whitening kits.
Using professional at-home teeth whitening kits can be a great way to whiten your teeth, but there are some dangers to keep in mind if you decide to go the DIY route. The first is that some of the products used are not regulated and could contain carcinogenic substances. Other problems include ill-fitting trays and the use of lemon and baking soda, both of which can corrode your teeth. Let’s take a closer look at some of the risks involved.
Be Wary When Using Hydrogen Peroxide
Using hydrogen peroxide regularly is not a good idea for some reasons. It can lead to gum irritation, tooth sensitivity, and chemical burns, among other things. To keep your teeth white and healthy, it’s best to avoid peroxide in the first place.
One of the best ways to keep your teeth bright and white without a peroxide rinse is by using a reputable whitening toothpaste along with mouthwash. This can help prevent cavities and keep your gums healthy. Another nifty tip is to use a dental scaler to remove plaque and debris before brushing your teeth. It’s also a good idea to rinse your mouth with a cup of warm water after brushing. If your teeth are particularly badly stained, come in and chat with us so we can advise you on the best course of action.
Is Oil Pulling Effective?
Oil pulling is a technique for whitening your teeth that involves swishing a spoonful of oil in your mouth for twenty minutes and ‘pulling’ it between your teeth until it becomes thin and milky. The claim is that this will remove harmful bacteria from your mouth, and it has even been touted as an alternative to brushing and flossing.
Various studies have been conducted to evaluate the effects of oil pulling on oral health. Some studies have shown that oil pulling may be an effective way to improve oral health. Enthusiasts say that the benefits of oil pulling include reduced plaque, fresher breath, and whiter teeth; however, further study is needed to corroborate these claims. The risks involved in oil pulling include oil aspiration and upset stomachs from accidentally inhaling or swallowing the oil, as well as strain in your jaw from the rigours of swilling oil in your mouth for 20 full minutes. No practice can adequately replace daily brushing and flossing, so while oil pulling may not actively harm you, it’s certainly not an alternative to daily dental care or professional whitening treatments.
Will Lemon And Baking Soda Reduce Stains On My Teeth?
Using baking soda and lemon juice for teeth whitening has been a common DIY method for people wanting to whiten their teeth. However, there are some dangers to using these products.
Both baking soda and lemon juice cause damage to the protective enamel coating of your teeth. Baking soda is a strong abrasive, which is terrible for your enamel. Lemon juice is acidic and thus also erodes the enamel of your teeth. While lemon juice contains vitamin C and citric acid, which are strong bleaching agents, the acidity is very high, and rubbing it on your teeth can cause enamel erosion.
Unregulated Products Can Contain Carcinogens
The safest method of whitening your teeth is by either coming in for an in-office treatment or purchasing one of our professional whitening take-home kits. The reason that we so thoroughly recommend going to the pros is that some home teeth-whitening kits contain hazardous ingredients like sodium perborate, a carcinogenic agent. Indeed, there have even been product recalls of certain home whitening kits because of their carcinogenic or harmful properties.
How Can We Help?
At G Dental, we can brighten up your smile by up to ten shades with an in-office whitening treatment! If you prefer to take care of your teeth on your own time, however, we also supply take-home whitening kits. These are specially designed and guaranteed to provide good results without damaging your teeth. The process will, however, take longer than an in-office treatment. Ultimately, professional teeth whitening at G Dental is the safest and most effective way to achieve a shinier smile.
To learn more about teeth whitening at G Dental, please have a look here.
To book an appointment at any one of our practices across Melbourne, please call 03 9435 6063 or 03 9432 0888, or drop us a line here.