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Fruits for Whiter Teeth?

Posted by: Dr. Sirakian     Categories: Dentistry


Hailed as the cheap and organic alternative to teeth whitening, fruit concoctions have arisen as the new way to get those pearly whites. But is there any truth to all these claims?

A study at the University of Iowa points to no. Associate Professor So Ran Kwon tested homemade strawberry-baking soda mix, over the counter remedies, and professional whitening or prescribed whitening products. What he found was that “the only benefit of the DIY method is while it seems to make your teeth look whiter, they look whiter because you’re just removing plaque.” The fruit blends don’t penetrate into the teeth and remove stain molecules, they whiten only superficially. Professional treatments whiten from the inside out—which is what we really want. All the other procedures tested (professional whitening, whitening strips, and prescribed treatments) all had discernable effects on the whiteness of the teeth.

So why don’t strawberries or other fruits work? It’s all about chemistry. These fruits don’t contain hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide, both active ingredients in teeth whitening products as regulated by the ADA. Apples and lemons? They don’t work either. And in fact, the acidity present in these fruits could be harmful to your teeth. Kwon’s study showed that the strawberry-baking soda mix reduced the surface hardness of the teeth by up to 10%.

The study was published in the dental journal, Operative Dentistry. You can read more about the details of the study here.

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If you’re between 40-60 years old, you have unique concerns regarding your oral health. Here’s what you should be paying attention to. Gum Disease Gingivitis is the first and only stage of gum disease that is reversible. If not treated properly, gingivitis can develop into periodontitis—a serious, destructive disease. Some people with gum disease show […]

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Could fillings be a thing of the past? Scientists in London have developed a pain-free filling that doesn’t require drilling or injections. Normally, a dentist would remove the decay by drilling and then the cavity is filled with a material such as amalgam or composite resin. The new treatment technique, developed by King’s College London, […]

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Fighting Dental Cavities With Oil-Pulling

While there are many fads out there that claim to be beneficial for your general or dental health, oil-pulling actually is. It can reduce the number of cavity causing bacteria as well as reduce the tooth-eroding acidity in the mouth. Studies have also shown that oil-pulling can reduce the plaque index of your mouth. And […]

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Beware of Brushing?

Too much brushing can’t hurt, right? Not exactly. The American Dental Association recommends that everyone brushes their teeth at least twice per day. If you’re especially keen about taking perfect care of your teeth, maybe you brush after meals too—be warned: there is a right way to do this. Researchers have discovered that brushing too […]

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