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We all want whiter and cleaner teeth. However, there is a ton of misinformation out there. We do live in the age of the internet after all, and myths can spread faster than wildfire now. Most “tips and techniques” for whitening your teeth end up damaging the enamel. And for full disclosure, the best way to get your teeth whitened is by visiting a dentist in Cranbourne or wherever you’re based. With that said, many of the techniques we’ll mention here have shown overall positive results, though they do lack rigorous scientific backing.

With that out of the way, let’s begin today’s topic.

What Is Enamel and Why It Matters

To put it simply, enamel is the shiny outermost layer of your teeth. It is the strongest part of your body and protects the delicate dentin and nerve inside in situations like chewing food or drinking hot or cold water. Despite its toughness, it can be worn down with improper care and it doesn’t grow back once it’s gone. When whitening methods are too harsh, they can thin enamel or make teeth more porous, leaving you with more sensitivity and less protection.

So, the goal isn’t just white teeth. It’s white, healthy teeth. That’s any dentist’s advice worth their salt, and trusting your dentist is crucial for your dental health.

What Causes Stains in the First Place?

Stains are of two types, namely extrinsic stains and intrinsic stains. The names might give their details away, but extrinsic stains are the ones that affect the outer surface of your teeth. These are caused by coffee, tea, wine, smoking, and the lot. Intrinsic stains, on the other hand, are a result of trauma, ageing or certain medications like tetracycline. Extrinsic stains are easier to remove. Intrinsic ones may require professional treatment.

Natural Remedies: What to Practice and What to Avoid?

There are plenty of natural remedies out there but not all of them have shown to actually deliver on their promises. Here are the ones with at least some backing as well as the added advantage of being harmless as long as done right.

Baking Soda Brushing

You might have noticed that baking soda is an ingredient found in most commercial toothpastes. That is primarily because it has natural whitening properties. It is abrasive in nature, but harmless, so it can be used to scrub the surface of your teeth.

It isn’t magic, so the whitening process will take time. Studies have also shown it to result in plaque reduction and gum inflammation.

However, one mustn’t mix baking soda with lemon juice. It sounds like a weird yet harmless cocktail but it is a nightmare for your enamel. Lemon is acidic and baking soda is abrasive, so the combination results in enamel being softened and easier to erode.

To perform this hack safely, here is what you’re going to need:
6 grams of baking soda
5 ml water (two spoons, basically)
Mix them up and brush your teeth with it a few times a week.

Oil Pulling (It’s Real — Sort Of)

Originating from India, oil pulling is a traditional treatment used for removing toxins from the body and improving oral hygiene. Whilst the practice is widespread within the country, only a limited amount of evidence exists supporting its claim.

Oil pulling involves putting oil, usually coconut oil due to its taste and antimicrobial properties, in one’s mouth for about 10–15 minutes daily. Don’t swallow it, just swirl and squish it inside your mouth.

Again, it isn’t a miracle method by any stretch of the imagination but it is gentle on the teeth and one can do it every day.

Final Thoughts

Everybody wants whiter teeth but sometimes, your teeth aren’t yellow but merely coated with plaque over time. Consulting a professional dentist is always the best route to take instead of reading up about DIY whitening techniques. You’ll also get personalised advice based on your enamel thickness, previous restorations, and gum health. This matters more than you’d think.

However, gentle whitening techniques can be practised with patience as they’re, well, worth the effort and harmless if done correctly. Your enamel doesn’t grow back, the stakes are high. So, any whitening method you choose should be based upon long-term protection, real data and not merely hearsay and short-term shine.

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