Finding the right products and practicing good oral hygiene is essential for teeth whitening.
There are many allegedly healthy teeth-whitening remedies that are well-liked online, and one of the more well-liked ones involves using a strawberry paste to whiten teeth. So, should you give it a try?
The truth is that whitening your teeth with strawberries might actually be counterproductive. Other reasonably priced options exist for achieving a radiant smile without actually damaging your tooth enamel.
Here are some arguments against using strawberries to whiten teeth, reasons to avoid doing so, and suggestions for alternatives.
Do Strawberries Whiten Teeth?
The claims that strawberries can whiten teeth are not made by random people. Yes, strawberries have qualities that might suggest they work well as a teeth-whitening agent.
Citric acid, which can be used to whiten teeth, is present in ripe strawberries. Citric acid, on the other hand, is known to hasten the demineralization of your teeth. To put it another way, the enamel on your teeth is damaged by this kind of acid, negating any benefit that whitening might have.
Malic acid, which is present in both apples and strawberries, is also found in strawberries. A natural enamel whitener is a malic acid.
But there’s a catch: Strawberries don’t contain any substances that can actually remove stains from your teeth.
As your teeth are polished and free of plaque after being scrubbed clean, applying strawberries to them might give the impression that they are whiter for an hour or so.
The result is only fleeting, though. Your teeth will quickly revert to their previous appearance prior to using strawberries.
Risks of Using Strawberries as a Teeth Whitener
Cavities
Because they contain a lot of natural sugar, strawberries are delicious for a reason. Of course, the sugar in strawberries isn’t the same as the white cane sugar you might be thinking of when you think of processed desserts.
Nevertheless, fruit sugar damages your teeth’s enamel. Like white sugar, strawberry juice may increase your risk of developing cavities in your teeth.
Loss of Tooth Enamel
Fruit is a fantastic food choice, but the American Dental Association (ADA) warns against saturating your teeth with fruit acids. If you repeatedly expose your teeth to acid for a long period of time, your tooth enamel may be harmed.
The hardest material in your body is the enamel on your teeth, but once it is lost, it cannot be replaced. You also won’t be using fluoride toothpaste, which is necessary to protect your enamel, if you brush your teeth with strawberries.
Safe and Effective Teeth Whitening
Brushing Your Teeth
Your first course of action should be to brush your teeth more frequently and correctly. After consuming foods and beverages that can cause your teeth to turn yellow, it’s especially crucial that you brush.
Brushing right away after consuming acidic foods or beverages should be done with caution. If you wait to brush, the acids will remove more enamel and cause erosion.
For two minutes at a time, brush your teeth at least twice per day. Ensure that you enter every nook and cranny. To protect your gums, gently brush your teeth in a circular motion. Brush your teeth on the inside, outside, and chewing surfaces.
Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide
Plaque accumulation and bacteria are said to be eliminated by using a paste made of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to remove stains.
To make a paste, combine 1 tablespoon of baking soda with 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide. After brushing with this paste, thoroughly rinse your mouth with water. Additionally, you can make a mouthwash with the same proportion of ingredients. Or, you could try mixing baking soda and water.
Coconut Oil Pulling
According to some reports, coconut oil pulling helps whiten teeth by removing plaque and bacteria from the mouth. Always look for a high-quality, organic oil that isn’t harmful, which you can buy online.
For 10 to 30 minutes, swish 1 to 2 teaspoons of liquid coconut oil around in your mouth. Keep the oil from coming in contact with your throat’s back. Since the oil contains toxins and bacteria from your mouth, avoid swallowing it.
It could clog drains, so spit it into the toilet or a wastepaper basket. A full glass of water should be consumed after you rinse your mouth with it. After that, brush your teeth.
There are no specific studies that support the claim that oil pulling whitens teeth.
Eating Fruits and Vegetables With a Higher Water Content
It has been suggested that eating raw, high-water-content fruits and vegetables can help to maintain the health of your teeth. It is believed that the water content will rid your teeth and gums of the bacteria and plaque that cause yellow teeth.
After a meal, chewing on crunchy fruits and vegetables may promote salivation. This can help wash away any harmful acids and remove food particles stuck in your teeth.
A diet rich in fruits and vegetables is undoubtedly beneficial to your dental and general health, but there isn’t much scientific proof to back up these claims. Having said that, it won’t hurt to eat these nutritious foods throughout the day.
Takeaway
The stains on your teeth cannot be removed by strawberries. In fact, any whitening impact strawberries have on your teeth is likely to wear off before the day is over.
The best way to maintain white teeth is to floss at least once per day and brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes each time. Consult a dentist if you’ve tried a number of options and are still looking for a teeth-whitening solution.