We asked a dentist for his opinion on “trendy” methods for whitening your teeth, such as coconut oil or “oil pulling”. He explains why it’s useless and even dangerous, and the only real method that works – good news, you can even do it at home!
Having whiter teeth is the wish of many people, especially as they age. “We have a very strong demand for teeth whitening” Dr Alain Amzalag, dentist, immediately confirms this. However, before testing 1001 remedies, you must remember that their yellowing is a natural phenomenon. “The first layer of the tooth is called “enamel”, it is external and transparent. The second layer is mineral, called “dentin”, it is more or less yellow depending on the individual and will show through the enamel” explains Dr. Amzalag.
“At birth, we have more or less yellow teeth. Over time, the enamel layer decreases under the mechanical effect of brushing, becoming closer to the layer below, which is more yellow. This is why the more we advance As you get older, your teeth will appear yellower.“Other aspects such as the color of the skin, eyes and hair will also influence the way in which we will perceive the yellow of the teeth, “If you are blond with pale skin and light eyes, your teeth will appear much yellower, for example.“, specifies the dentist.
Among the popular remedies for whitening teeth, we currently findcoconut oil. It is believed to have the ability to limit the formation of dental plaque and tartar and to act on the coloring of the teeth. In fact, this method consists of making a mouthwash prepared with coconut oil then rinsing the teeth with water. In reality, when you use coconut oil as a mouthwash, it will rehydrate the tooth and give a mirror effect that will stay on the teeth for a while.
This mirror effect can give the impression of whiteness but the effect is deceptive and will disappear when the oil dissolves. So “coconut oil has no effect on teeth whitening” explains the expert, before adding that “tooth whitening products found over the counter do not act either or ephemerally on the coloring of the teeth, with an additional risk of toxicity. Coconut oil poses no health risk, our interlocutor specifies. It is only ineffective.
The only truly effective tooth whitening techniques are prescribed by dentists and contrary to what one might think, there is no need to go to an office. The most definitive treatment can be done at home. “We carry out an examination before prescribing whitening because the enamel must be perfectly healthy. There are sometimes cracks on the teeth that only a dentist can see and which can be routes of penetration of the product, leading to toxicity on the nerve of the tooth” explains our interlocutor. Following this check, if the patient has healthy teeth, the healthcare professional will be able to make silicone trays to wear at home, on average 3 hours a day for 3 weeks, to apply the whitening product to the teeth. . “With this technique, we obtain significant results that last over time” attests the dentist.
Finally, to take care of your teeth, the doctor recommends cleaning your teeth well and complementing this brushing with systematic flossing. “Carrying out regular scaling to prevent gum disease will also have the effect of eliminating discolorations caused by coffee, tea or food coloring, for example.” These tips are fundamental and affect the aging of gums and teeth.