How to get the best smile possible!

Natural vs. Professional Treatments: How to Get the Best Smile Possible

Everyone wants a bright and white smile, don’t they? But not everyone achieves this confidence booster the same way. Here we compare a number of natural teeth whitening methods you can do at home with a professional treatment to see which is the most effective.

Natural Teeth Whitening Methods

Coconut Oil Pulling

Oil pulling is a somewhat controversial home remedy for a whiter smile. It essentially involves swishing coconut oil around your mouth for around 20 minutes. This helps remove plaque and breaks down any bacteria in the mouth.

Coconut oil is an effective ingredient for fighting streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that can cause cavities and gum disease, therefore, oil pulling on a regular basis can help keep your teeth healthy and shiny.

Our verdict: Effects may be seen from first use and although this is a relatively affordable method of teeth whitening, we’re not sure we’d like the feeling of oil in our mouth.

Baking Soda

Baking soda has long been a favourite home method for whitening teeth. When mixed with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide to make a paste, it can be brushed onto your teeth as you would with toothpaste to break down staining.

Be aware! Baking soda has a grit-like texture and, if you don’t add enough hydrogen peroxide, it can act like sandpaper and seriously damage the enamel on your teeth. And it won’t grow back!

Our verdict: Yes, this may be an extremely cheap home treatment, but more harm can be done than good.

Turmeric

You wouldn’t think that a bright orange spice could actually make your teeth whiter, but it can. Turmeric has been used for generations as a herbal medicine and is highly-effective as an anti-inflammatory ingredient. This will stain your toothbrush, but wouldn’t you put up with a rather yellow toothbrush for whiter teeth?

Our verdict: Turmeric can whiten your teeth slightly; however, the mess that comes with using this spice just isn’t worth the effort.

Activated Charcoal

Like with turmeric, you wouldn’t expect that a dark material like charcoal could in fact whiten your teeth, but it can. It will look terrifying for a few moments while you complete the treatment, but your teeth will look white and clean once you’ve swilled.

Activated charcoal is absorbent and porous, so it binds to any particles that may be staining your teeth and helps break them down so they are easier removed. Activated charcoal can also alter the pH in the mouth, an effective way of avoiding cavities and killing dangerous bacteria that may harm your gums.

Our verdict: Non-activated charcoal is very dangerous and there is no guarantee that you will be using the correct type. Don’t risk your health; see a professional instead.

Professional Teeth Whitening Treatment

Although more pricey than home remedies, professional teeth whitening treatments completed by an oral health provider is proven to be the safest and most effective way of whitening your teeth.

Professional teeth bleaching involves wearing whitening gum shield style trays at night for up to two weeks before one final dental treatment to ensure a white smile with long lasting effects.

This works by increasing the teeth’s permeability to oxygen which in turn breaks down stain molecules and makes them easy to remove. As a result, teeth can appear up to 16 shades whiter.

Our verdict: Professional teeth whitening procedures are more expensive than home remedies, obviously; however, you pay for what you get. Professional treatments are much more effective and last longer than natural methods.

If you’re unhappy with your teeth, speak to The Smile Dentist! Dr Rob, ‘The Smile Dentist’ promises a 5 star, VIP dental treatment and fully guarantees every procedure he provides. He has been transforming smiles for over 30 years, so no one knows how to create beautiful white smiles quite like him. Call today on 03335 777273.