Dentures and Dentist

Lemon Juice and Baking Soda: Natural Teeth Whitening Solution or Dental Health Hazard?

14 July 2016

Julian Andrews

If you are a fan of natural living, you may be looking for a way to brighten your smile without using chemicals. Many natural health blogs recommend mixing lemon juice and baking soda to create a paste that you can brush onto your teeth to whiten them. However, this method may not deliver the stain-busting effects you are looking for. It could even damage your teeth. Here are some reasons to think twice before you use this potentially dangerous home remedy.

Lemon Juice and Baking Soda Can Damage Teeth

The citric acid in lemon juice can soften tooth enamel, which is a protective layer on the surface on your teeth. Baking soda is abrasive, which means that it can easily wear away enamel that has been softened by exposure to acid. The whitening gels that dentists use have a pH of 7, which means they are not acidic and are therefore less likely to damage tooth enamel.

Whitening With Lemon Juice Doesn't Work

Dentists claim that lemon juice doesn't work as a tooth whitening agent. Scrubbing your teeth with baking soda may remove some surface stains, but even this effect doesn't last long.  Wearing away the enamel by using this abrasive paste can make it easier for stains to return in the future. If you want your smile to remain bright for many years to come, you should steer clear of this dangerous DIY teeth whitening method.

Safer Whitening Methods Are Available

If you want to whiten your teeth at home, it is better to use a whitening toothpaste or gel, as these products have been tested to ensure they are safe to use. Alternatively, cosmetic dentists can carry out teeth whitening treatments that quickly restore the brightness of your smile, without posing the same risks to your enamel as acid-based natural methods.

There are Natural Ways to Keep Your Smile Bright

If you are determined to whiten your smile the natural way, try cutting back on refined carbohydrates and sugars, which fuel the growth of bacteria, and instead snack on high-fiber foods, such as celery and almonds. The tough fibers in these foods scrub the surface of your teeth as you chew, which could help to dislodge stains. In addition, you will need to avoid consuming foods and drinks that can stain your teeth, such as red wine, black tea and coffee.

For more information, contact a cosmetic dentist in your area.

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