This is where many viral whitening recipes go wrong.
You may see instructions telling people to:
Mix lemon or lime juice with baking soda and rub the mixture onto the teeth.
It’s better not to do this.
Citrus fruits are acidic, and frequent exposure to acids can erode tooth enamel. Once enamel is lost, it does not simply grow back.
Baking soda is found in some professionally formulated toothpastes, but that doesn’t mean that rubbing homemade baking soda mixtures onto your teeth is equivalent to using a properly formulated dental product.
The ADA notes that DIY whitening methods have limited evidence for effectiveness and can raise safety concerns.
🥤 Step 5: Reduce Staining Drinks
If you’re trying to keep your teeth brighter, pay attention to what you drink.
Coffee, tea, cola and other strongly colored beverages can contribute to surface staining.
You don’t necessarily have to eliminate them completely.
Instead:
- Drink them in moderation.
- Avoid holding or swishing acidic drinks around your mouth.
- Drink water afterward.
- Maintain your normal brushing and flossing routine.
For acidic drinks, the ADA recommends rinsing with water and waiting before brushing so that the enamel has time to recover from the acid exposure.
🥕 Step 6: Choose Foods That Support Good Oral Hygiene
A healthy diet contributes to overall oral health.
Drink plenty of water and limit frequent sugary snacks and drinks.
Crunchy foods aren’t a replacement for brushing, flossing or professional cleaning, but maintaining a balanced diet can support good oral-health habits.
