Your orthodontic treatment has ended and your braces have finally come off. While your smile is much straighter than it once was, it isn’t as bright as you thought it would be. Straight teeth without a bright, white smile does not boost your confidence or make a good first impression in public.
DIY Teeth Whitening Trends
Within the last decade, more things have started to cater to the do-it-yourself market than ever before. From DIY face scrubs and other beauty hacks to home organization, more brands are using technology to find ways for us to do less outsourcing and get more hands on.
If you’ve been paying attention to social media, you may have come across a few DIY teeth whitening trends, like activated charcoal toothpaste, oil pulling, and even lemon juice. It is important to note that while some of these trends, like oil pulling, are ancient remedies that have not been scientifically proven to work.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice for teeth whitening is actually one of the worst things you can do for your teeth. Lemon juice is highly acidic and applying it directly on your teeth puts your tooth enamel at risk.
Activated Charcoal Toothpaste
Activated charcoal toothpaste may be great for absorbing stains and toxins, but it’s also abrasive – making it easy to scrap enamel while removing stains from the teeth. Look for the ADA (American Dental Association) Seal of Acceptance before buying.
Peroxide and Baking Soda
Bleaching teeth using common household items like baking soda and hydrogen peroxide is another recent trend that is picking up steam. Many bloggers and influencers justify using these products together by stating that hydrogen peroxide is used in professional teeth cleanings and baking soda is present in many ADA approved whitening toothpastes. While this may be true, these are used by professionals with proper knowledge and training for a reason. Using them in the wrong way can cause more harm than good for your oral health.
The Right Way to Brighten Teeth
Once Dr. Carlyn Phucas at Carlyn Phucas Orthodontics helps you achieve the straighter smile you deserve through orthodontic treatment, she can also recommend teeth whitening products afterward. Although we understand that following a DIY method could save you both time and money, when it comes to your oral health, trust a professional opinion first. Contact our office to schedule a complimentary consultation.