If you were anything like me in college, you enjoyed all the foods and beverages dentists warn you against, and now regretting the foils of your youth, scour the internet for tooth-whitening remedies that cost less than in-office whitening treatments. Well, you’re not alone, but be wary of misinformation.
What Causes Teeth to Yellow?
The inside of your teeth, the dentin, is naturally yellow. It’s the outer layer, the enamel that makes healthy teeth appear white, and protects them from sensitivity. When the enamel’s surface is covered by plaque or recent staining, it appears more yellow. When long-term staining seeps into the enamel, or it begins to wear away, it starts showing more of the dentin, and appears more yellow.
The major takeaway here: enamel doesn’t grow back. Once erosion begins it’s nearly impossible to repair, so the absolute best and cheapest way to keep those pearly whites looking healthy is preventing staining and erosion from happening in the first place.
Maintain Consistent Oral Hygiene
Plaque build-up is the most common reason for tooth enamel discoloration and erosion, so the best way to keep those chompers looking white is the consistent practice of good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day, and floss once a day. To boost whitening effects, dentists recommend using a toothpaste with baking soda (sodium bicarbonate), and brush for a full two minutes to give the whitening ingredients in pastes and mouthwashes the “time on teeth” they need to do the job. See our previous article on plaque-prevention strategies for more details.
Limit Foods & Beverages that Stain or Erode the Enamel
As a general rule of thumb, limit your intake of foods and drinks that are dark in color, or are high in sugar, such as processed foods with high-fructose corn syrup. Common culprits are:
Smoking – I think this one goes without saying. Just no.
Coffee and tea – When consumed on a daily basis, these drinks are known to stain teeth over time.
Processed foods, sodas, and candies – Sodas, soft drinks, and sweet or sticky candies are high in sugar and break down the natural enamel coating of your teeth. Processed foods with high-fructose corn syrup have the same effect.
Fruits and Vegetables – dark foods like berries and beets stain teeth. However, fruits containing citric acids, like oranges, lemons, grapefruit, and tomatoes, especially contribute to the breakdown of the enamel.
Alcohol – dark beers and red wine can stain the teeth if drank frequently, but all alcohol dries out your mouth, which inhibits the ability of your natural saliva to keep your teeth hydrated and break down sugars.
The good news is, you don’t have to cut these things from your diet completely, just enjoy them in moderation, and if possible, drink through a straw so they’re not coming into direct contact with the teeth. To reduce harmful effects, swish and rinse with water soon after, but don’t brush for at least 30 minutes after consumption, as the enamel has already become soft and sensitive, and brushing immediately further damages the weakened enamel.
Add Tooth-Friendly Foods to Your Diet
Boost your mouth’s natural plaque and stain-fighting abilities by adding foods that promote tooth strength and repair damaged enamel.
Calcium – Yogurt, milk, cheese, and broccoli are high in calcium, which builds strong teeth and bones, and protects from enamel decay. Many high-calcium foods, especially yogurt, also contain probiotics, which are good bacteria that help prevent plaque build-up.
Magnesium and Potassium – Magnesium and potassium also boost the strength of your teeth, and are found in dark, leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale, as well as eggs, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, squash, and tofu.
Vegetables and nuts – Some vegetables and nuts act as mild abrasives to remove plaque and stains from teeth. Raw, crunchy vegetables such as celery, carrots, cucumbers, broccoli, and raw nuts including walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, and Brazil nuts are all natural plaque-removing agents and make for great snack foods!
Whitening Strategies: Fact or Fiction?
Okay, so you’ve read what you can do to avoid staining, now you’re ready to hear how you can reverse the effects, right? Well, before you bite off more than you can chew, be ready to accept that teeth whitening is a slow process, especially if you’re looking to save money by using natural home remedies.
In-office bleaching kits and at-home whitening strips may be fast and effective, but you are limited in how often you can receive treatments because the chemicals required, if over-used, damage the enamel and the gums. The same goes for at-home remedies– anything promising fast results is just wishful thinking.
According to MouthHealthy.org by the ADA, many natural remedies suggested online are not actually supported by research or dental professionals. In fact, many natural remedies can be easily misused and cause more harm than good. Let’s start by distinguishing proven whitening strategies from the fanciful fads.
Use with Caution:
Fruit scrubs and pastes – Any whitening remedies involving acidic fruits should be taken with a grain of salt. WebMD does state that “malic acid in apples boosts saliva,” and “the bromelain found in pineapples helps whiten teeth,” but, as you learned above, the citric fruit acids damage enamel. So why do so many sources suggest using lemons, oranges, apples (including apple cider vinegar), strawberries, or pineapples to whiten the teeth? Because the same quality in citric acid that damages your enamel is thought to help in breaking down and removing stains from the teeth. Think of it like using bleach on your white clothes: a little diluted water and bleach will take that stain out in two or three rinses, but too much concentrated bleach over time will deteriorate the fabric. Fruit pastes may break down the plaque from your latest meal, but it wouldn’t be difficult to use too much concentrated acid, too often, and cause more damage in the long run.
Charcoal scrubs – Charcoal is naturally abrasive and absorbent. That’s great if you’re trying to scrub your grill or suffering from food poisoning, but if used incorrectly or too frequently, users could easily scrub their enamel right off or ingest enough charcoal to block ingestion of necessary nutrients or medications. Again, charcoal scrubs have not been approved by dental professionals.
Hydrogen Peroxide – This bleaching agent found in most traditional whitening kits is certainly an effective whitener, but can be harmful if used incorrectly in homemade toothpaste. According to WebMD, while “over-the-counter gels with 6% hydrogen peroxide on teeth made a noticeable difference after two weeks, the inexpensive bottles you can buy in a drugstore usually have a lower percentage.” So in a homemade concoction, it’ll probably irritate your gums before it whitens your teeth, especially if used frequently.
So why is the internet touting these remedies if they’re likely to cause more harm than good? Because like all natural remedies, the devil’s in the details. They may work well for some people and do nothing for others. They may become effective over time with very consistent use, and cause damage with overuse. If you do choose to experiment with these natural methods, or a combination of the above, just be sure to thoroughly rinse with water afterward and to use with caution to avoid potential enamel erosion.
Possibly Effective
Oils and Spices – Coconut oil pulling and turmeric are two other frequently suggested natural whitening remedies. According to WebMD, while coconut oil has been found to help in preventing tooth decay, neither has been proven to help whiten teeth. However, among natural remedies, coconut oil is the safest as it does not contain harmful acids.
Effective
Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) – If you’ve noticed the pattern of mixing baking soda with most DIY toothpaste recipes, it’s because studies published in the Journal of Dentistry actually do show that brushing with a baking soda product will work on surface stains over time. However, it’s also a gritty substance, so an improperly mixed homemade recipe can wear the enamel, too. According to WebMD, “you’ll probably get better results by switching to a toothpaste with sodium bicarbonate.”
Bottom line
If you want a fast whitening treatment for an upcoming event, or for severe discoloration, in-office or at-home whitening kits may be the best option. However, if modifying your diet and regular oral hygiene haven’t addressed your concerns, see your dentist about more frequent whitening treatments, dental sealants, or enamel replacement options such as veneers or crowns.
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Sources: [Mouth Healthy, National Center for Biotechnology Information, NY Times, WebMD, WebMD]
