Want a brighter smile? You may have run across articles on the internet claiming that a lot of different at-home whitening methods can improve your smile, from banana peels to oil pulling.
But is this really true? In this blog from Coronado Dental Associates, we’ll discuss a few of the most common DIY whitening methods, and discuss which ones do and don’t work.
1. Banana Peels
Banana peels don’t do anything to whiten your teeth. Many articles recommend rubbing the peel against your teeth for a few minutes. While this could scrub off some surface stains, it’s no more effective than brushing your teeth. Banana peels have no special whitening properties.
2. Oil Pulling
Oil pulling (swishing oil around your mouth) could help kill certain bacteria. But it has no known special abilities to whiten your teeth. It won’t hurt your smile, but it won’t brighten your teeth significantly either.
3. Strawberries, Pineapples, Apples & Other Fruits
Some people think the “malic acid” in certain fruits like strawberries, pineapples, and apples can whiten your teeth. However, a study showed that there were no significant effects, especially compared to commercial whitening products.
However, eating fibrous fruits like apples or pears is still good for your oral health. The fibers act as natural “brushes,” and help keep your teeth clean and healthy. Of course, fruit is also great for your overall health, so munch away! Just don’t expect it to give you a brighter smile.
4. Baking Soda
Baking soda is a mild abrasive, and can scrub away surface stains and plaque away from your teeth. That’s why it’s a common additive in toothpaste. You could use baking soda on its own, but we recommend just brushing your teeth with an ADA-approved toothpaste instead.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is actually used in most teeth whitening products, along with carbamide peroxide. However, swishing and rinsing with it is not as effective as using a commercial teeth whitening product, since commercially-available hydrogen peroxide is very diluted.
6. Apple Cider Vinegar
There is no evidence that apple cider vinegar can whiten your teeth. Not only that, but it’s really acidic and can wear down your enamel with prolonged use, causing permanent damage. Don’t try to use apple cider vinegar to whiten your teeth.
7. Turmeric
Again, there is no scientific research on the effectiveness of turmeric for teeth whitening. It’s been found to help fight against oral bacteria, but it will not whiten your teeth.
8. Charcoal And Charcoal Toothpaste
Similarly to baking soda, charcoal is an abrasive substance. It can remove mild surface stains caused by plaque. But it’s often very harsh, and prolonged use of charcoal or charcoal toothpaste could damage your enamel. We recommend skipping this, and using an ADA-accepted whitening toothpaste instead.
Nothing Works Better Than Professional Teeth Whitening!
We recommend avoiding these DIY teeth whitening methods. If you want to brighten your smile, consider an over-the-counter whitening kit approved by the ADA like Crest Whitestrips, or contact Coronado Dental Associates for professional teeth whitening!
Dr. Villalobos and Dr. Meadows provide effective, long-lasting teeth whitening services in Coronado, Imperial Beach, and downtown San Diego. With our help, you’ll get the beautiful smile you deserve. Contact us online or give us a call at (619) 435-0844 to schedule an appointment now.
FAQs
Banana peels don't do anything to whiten your teeth. Many articles recommend rubbing the peel against your teeth for a few minutes. While this could scrub off some surface stains, it's no more effective than brushing your teeth. Banana peels have no special whitening properties.
What is the best DIY teeth whitening? ›
Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleach that can help to whiten stained teeth . For optimal whitening, a person can try brushing with a mix of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide for 1–2 minutes twice a day for a week. They should only do this occasionally.
What is the number one teeth whitening method? ›
Option #1: In-Office Laser Whitening
This is one of the popular teeth whitening methods that some people believe is the most effective way to get a brighter smile. Using lasers and peroxide-based whitening agents in a professional setting, this teeth whitening method provides dramatic, lasting results.
What fruit peel whitens teeth? ›
Advocates of the home remedy say the potassium, magnesium and manganese in banana peels absorb into your teeth and whiten them. Others suggest that lemon peels, strawberries or orange peels can be used as natural teeth whiteners.
Does banana peel remove tartar? ›
It's true that rubbing a banana peel against your teeth may remove some plaque and surface stains, but a toothbrush does a much better job — especially when coupled with a quality toothpaste. There's nothing in a banana peel that is intrinsically teeth-whitening.
Does Vicks VapoRub whiten teeth? ›
Vicks VapoRub is toxic to consume and should not be used for teeth whitening.
Does swishing hydrogen peroxide whiten teeth? ›
A simple hydrogen peroxide mouthwash may help remove mild stains. However, a person should avoid leaving hydrogen peroxide solutions on their teeth for extended periods. For people who have darker stains, stronger whitening options are available both over the counter and from a dentist.
What whitens teeth the fastest? ›
Quick Whitening Solutions for Brushing
- Baking Soda. One option for quick teeth whitening is to brush your teeth with baking soda. ...
- Activated Charcoal. Activated charcoal is made via heating using gas. ...
- Powdered Milk. Powdered milk has a number of benefits for your teeth. ...
- Banana Peel. ...
- Strawberries and Baking Soda.
Best for Fast Results
We recommend the Lumineux Teeth Whitening Strips if you want whiter teeth fast. Although they do not contain peroxide (opting for a mix of natural ingredients), we found these strips to be a quick and easy way to whiten our teeth in just a couple of days.
Does banana white teeth whitening work? ›
The short answer, unfortunately, is no. Many bloggers and DIY enthusiasts will tell you that rubbing a banana peel on your tooth enamel can enhance its brightness, but this simply isn't true. While bananas and other fruit do have nutritional value for your entire body, they cannot whiten your teeth.
Baking-powder eliminates stains on the surface of your teeth and lemon juice as we already said has multiple components that lighten teeth. Just mix a teaspoon of baking powder and a teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and brush your teeth with the paste this mixture will work wonders in just two minutes.
Does pineapple whiten teeth? ›
Strawberries, watermelon, and dairy products may help whiten your teeth. These foods contain compounds with lightening properties. Pineapple and papaya also have proteolytic enzymes that dissolve stain-causing proteins on your teeth. Simply eating these foods won't transform the color of your teeth, though.
How long does it take for banana peel to whiten teeth? ›
Banana peels don't do anything to whiten your teeth. Many articles recommend rubbing the peel against your teeth for a few minutes. While this could scrub off some surface stains, it's no more effective than brushing your teeth. Banana peels have no special whitening properties.
What part of the banana peel do you use to whiten your teeth? ›
It's a banana's high mineral value that has some saying the peel can be great for whitening. The word on the web is you rub the inside of the peel on your teeth before or after brushing for a few minutes and whiter pearly whites in a few weeks.
What whitens teeth really fast? ›
In-office whitening procedures like Zoom Advanced Power whitening can see immediate results because dentists use a 35% solution of hydrogen peroxide in conjunction with a "light source directly on the teeth to break up all the molecules that cause staining and discoloration," he explains.
Can I brush my teeth with hydrogen peroxide and baking soda? ›
Baking soda is abrasive and helps remove stains from the surface of your teeth which makes them appear whiter. However, baking soda does not help remove the old stains. Therefore mixing it with hydrogen peroxide helps whiten your teeth. The mixture forms a paste which stays on your teeth while brushing them.
Do DIY teeth whitening work? ›
At home teeth whitening kits may offer convenience and affordability. However, their results often fall short of delivering desired outcomes when compared to professional treatments. Teeth whitening with a dentist remains the gold standard when it comes to creating brighter smiles under expert care and supervision.
How fast does baking soda whiten teeth? ›
But, how long the baking soda takes to work depends on the severity of the stains. Generally, it takes about two weeks of daily use before you start seeing results. If you're looking for a quick fix, other options are available, such as professional teeth whitening in the Colony, TX, or take-home kits.
