A myriad of teeth whitening techniques exist. Hydrogen peroxide, crushed strawberries, lemon juice, soot, baking soda — but which one is the best? The best teeth whitening method should be the most effective, and the least harmful. Baking soda is definitely the best home remedy for white teeth.
Baking soda, having natural cleaning abilities, effectively cleans and whitens teeth. Mix one part baking soda and one part toothpaste. Take two small strips of foil, and press them onto your teeth, to make teeth trays. Deposit your baking soda and toothpaste mixture into the trays. Wear the trays for an hour. Remove the trays. Without rinsing your mouth, brush your teeth thoroughly.
If this procedure seems a bit too drastic, mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a glass of water. Rinse your teeth until the glass of water has been used up. Repeat this procedure about three or four times a day.
Not only is baking soda effective, it is safe. Unlike the other home remedies mentioned, baking soda has virtually no negative effects on your teeth. Hydrogen peroxide, crushed strawberries, lemon juice and soot are all considered risky by dentists. Why?
Hydrogen peroxide is a disinfectant and a bleaching agent. A 3% solution is swished around in the mouth, then spat out. However, what if the patient accidentally swallows the peroxide? Hydrogen peroxide is toxic. Furthermore, peroxide causes the oral cavity to dry out. Dry mucus membranes are ideal breeding ground for bacteria.
Crushed strawberries are not toxic. However, is it truly advisable to brush one’s teeth with a sugary, acidic, and gritty substance? When brushing your teeth with crushed strawberries, you are basically forcing sugar and acid onto your enamel. Sugar will be decomposed by bacteria to produce more acid. The acid will corrode the enamel, leading to cavities.
The seeds of the strawberries are also problematic. They are hard, small and sharp. By brushing your teeth with crushed strawberries, you are in essence scratching them with small pebbles. The scratches made in your enamel will only collect more dirt.
Lemon juice is another popular remedy to whiten teeth. It does whiten teeth — but how? The lemon juice leeches calcium from the enamel, giving it an off-white colour. However, the calcium is what gives teeth their strength! Lemon juice, in whitening your teeth, weakens them.
The ashes of hardwoods are often used to white teeth as well. This is because the ash contains potassium hydroxide, known colloquially as lye. Lye is a very harsh chemical. It will harm teeth, gums, tongue, lips and skin. Although it may improve the appearance of your teeth, it can lead to poor oral health.
Baking soda, compared to these substances, is very safe. It is not the least bit toxic—otherwise, why would we use it to bake cookies? The substance is also very mild; thus it can be used in larger quantities. Furthermore, baking soda is not only harmless, but beneficial. Bacteria on the teeth frequently produce acid, which corrodes the enamel. Baking soda, on the other hand, is basic. It neutralizes the acid, preventing enamel damage.
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May 8th, 2012
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