DIY Teeth Whitening Facts

DIY teeth whitening solutions — whether they’re done using at-home ingredients like bicarb soda, or bought over the counter in a store — are incredibly popular. They offer convenience, affordability, and best of all, results.

But how good are these DIY whitening kits? Can they really give you the same results as an in-chair appointment with a dentist?

Let’s have a look at four popular DIY options.

Activated Charcoal

Activated charcoal has recently gained popularity as a miracle toothpaste replacement that will clean and brighten your teeth like nothing else. Usually available in a powder or paste, it’s particularly popular with people who dislike the thought of fluoridated toothpaste.

Does it work?

There’s no evidence to suggest activated charcoal will whiten your teeth.

In fact, using activated charcoal could harm your teeth, as the abrasive particles may wear down your enamel over time. So not only will it not whiten your teeth, it won’t do a great job of keeping them healthy, either.

Lemon Juice & Baking Soda

What could be better than using two household items to whiten your teeth? You likely already have them somewhere in your kitchen, and all you need to do is mix them into a paste. Sounds great.

Does it work?

Again, no.

Baking soda, like charcoal, is abrasive. It will wear down your teeth. Acidic food and drink weaken your teeth and make them more susceptible to bacteria.

Throw the two together and you have a perfect recipe for destroying your teeth.

Coconut Oil and Turmeric Powder

One part coconut oil, one part baking soda and two parts turmeric powder — all you need to make a great, whitening toothpaste at home.

Does it work?

You’ve hopefully guessed by now, but no. The baking soda, again, is abrasive. It will harm your teeth. The other two ingredients have no proof suggesting they actually help to whiten anything, and are probably best left for cooking.

Over the Counter Whitening

A reasonably affordable take-home kit you can buy in a chemist and whiten in your spare time at home.

Does it work?

Some do, most don’t. The problem is that they don’t have enough concentration of the bleaching agent to be truly effective, as the chemicals are controlled and require supervision for higher quantities.

Dentists can supply you with take-home kits that are actually useful.

For Best Results, See A Dentist

For the best teeth whitening results, see a dentist (click here if you want to learn more about this topic). They’ll work out the best method for your teeth, and even be able to assess whether you’ll respond to teeth whitening at all. You might find that teeth whitening isn’t even an option for you, and they can recommend other alternatives such as veneers.