Teeth Whitening nowadays has become very popular! So many of us would love to have a whiter brighter smile. When people were asked by the Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry what they wanted to improve about their smile, the most common response was whiter teeth. You may have seen advertisements suggesting the use of charcoal, oil pulling or even turmeric to help you achieve a whiter smile. You may be tempted to try these do it yourself whitening methods that can be found in your own kitchen. But before you do, you need to know they can cause more harm than good for your teeth. For example, the use of lemons, oranges and apple cider vinegar have been suggested to use at home as a teeth whitener. Since these fruits and vinegar contain acid, they can wear away the enamel that helps protect your teeth from sensitivity as well as cavities. Before you use activated charcoal to scrub your teeth you should know that because it is so porous it adheres to whatever is in your stomach including healthy vitamins and nutrients, potentially removing them. There is no scientific evidence to support the use of charcoal, hydrogen peroxide pastes, or oil pulling as teeth whiteners. The best way to keep your teeth white and healthy is to brush twice a day, use an ADA Seal approved whitening toothpaste, floss daily, limit foods that stain your teeth (coffee, tea, and red wine) and don’t smoke or use tobacco. Still looking for a whiter brighter smile? At Dr. Nichols office we offer a variety of safe and effective bleaching systems to choose from even for those with sensitive teeth.
