Your diet, age, and other factors can dull or stain your smile. While lots of products and home hacks claim to whiten your teeth, there are many myths about teeth whitening. What’s the truth about DIY teeth whitening? Are there any safe at-home methods?
Myths About DIY Teeth Whitening
The biggest whitening myth is that at-home methods are just as effective as professional whitening. Over-the-counter products can lighten your teeth by a shade or two, but there’s no substitute for professional-strength gels and customized treatments.
You may have heard baking soda, activated charcoal, and lemon juice work, too. However, these ingredients can damage your enamel, increase tooth sensitivity, and make you more vulnerable to stains! Baking soda is very abrasive, and while it can remove some surface stains, you risk eroding your tooth enamel at the same time. Activated charcoal is also abrasive, while the acid in lemon juice can erode your enamel and make your teeth more vulnerable to stains.
Safe At-Home Whitening Methods
Maintaining great oral hygiene is the safest way to brighten your teeth at home. Daily brushing and flossing removes plaque and helps prevent tartar, which has a yellow or brown color. Whitening toothpaste can remove some stains. Many over-the-counter whitening products are safe as long as you follow the instructions and don’t overuse them.
Teeth Whitening in Liberty, MO
You can lighten your smile a little with safe DIY methods, but only professional teeth whitening provides significant results. At our office, we offer KöR whitening, which can whiten your teeth up to 16 shades lighter! If you have questions about teeth whitening or want to schedule an appointment, please contact us today.