Rewinding the Years: Dental Care Tips for Older Adults

There are plenty of articles that indicate what kind of home teeth whitening methods can work miracles if you just start trying them. However, plenty of these remedies have many dangers that you should be warned about. Here are four that can cause more harm than good:

1. Lemon Juice: Lemon juice is claimed to work wonders for whitening the teeth. Simply rub the juice all over your teeth and before you know it, you will have a bright, white smile. However, you must be warned that lemon juice contains citric acid. When that citric acid is applied to the teeth, it can cause the calcium in the teeth to be lost, which cannot be replaced. That calcium is what helps contribute to a white smile. 
2. Strawberries: Strawberries are claimed to whiten your teeth by using them to brush. Simply crush up the strawberries, apply to your toothbrush, and brush. Be warned that strawberries also contain an acid called ascorbic acid, which can break down tooth enamel and cause significant damage. In fact, it is recommended that should you decide to brush with strawberries, you should immediately brush your teeth with regular toothpaste afterwards to prevent the damage to tooth enamel. 
3. Baking Soda: Baking soda is another remedy that is claimed to work by rubbing over the teeth and brushing. While baking soda is certainly great as removing plaque because it is an abrasive you also have to be aware that abrasives, if used too much, can also damage the tooth enamel. So while you could use this method, it is recommended that you don't use it very often. 
4. Sea Salt: Sea salt is another home remedy that people use by combining the salt with water and some kind of acid, such as apple cider vinegar. First off, the acid itself is damaging to teeth since it can break down the calcium and tooth enamel. Plus, sea salt is an abrasive that, when combined with the acid, can actually cause tooth decay and can lead to teeth sensitivity, which can be really uncomfortable to live with. 

Now that you know some of the dangers of certain teeth whitening home remedies, you can better understand why it may be best to talk with a cosmetic dentist if you are considering teeth whitening solutions. A cosmetic dentist (like those at Alliance Family Dental) will be able to suggest more effective methods and even provide you with some prescription options that you can use at home for safer results, as well.