Understanding your teeth
Why do our teeth change colors anyway? Many are on a quest to restore the whiteness of their teeth. But what if we understood the causes of yellowing smiles in the first place? Here are a few reasons, from MouthHealthy of the American Dental Association, for why our teeth turn yellow:
- Food and drink: Many foods with strong color pigments, or chromogens, can adhere to the lining of your tooth enamel.
- Tar and nicotine: Using tobacco products will be a likely culprit for staining your teeth. While the tar is dark on its own, the nicotine turns a yellow color when it mixes with oxygen.
- Age: There is a softer, yellowish layer called dentin beneath the white enamel on our teeth. Years of brushing will naturally thin the enamel, enabling the dentin to show through.
- Mouth injuries: If you get hit in the mouth, your body reacts by adding more dentin. This adds a darkers layer of yellow under the enamel.
- Medications: Various health treatments and medications can contribute to yellowing your teeth.
Learn what is harmful and helpful for your smile
It’s time to brush up on some teeth whitening myths. You’ll see many options floating around online regarding DIY approaches to a whiter smile. As the trends catch on and spread quickly, we want to offer some helpful information about the myths and tips of successful whitening.
Myth #1: Naturally acidic ingredients will whiten my teeth.
We highly encourage eating fruits like oranges that are high in acidity. But be warned that applying acidic ingredients to your teeth as a scrub will likely damage your enamel. Enamel is the layer protecting your teeth from cavities and sensitivity!
Tip #1: The enamel is what you want whitened.
You’ll want to stay away from harmful ingredients that wear away at the enamel on your teeth. These are often found in over-the-counter whitening products.
Myth #2: Charcoal scrubs will whiten my teeth.
This is a trendy one! Many DIY tricks incorporate some sort of charcoal mixture to scrub on your teeth. Our word of caution here is…this method simply hasn’t been proven to actually help whiten! It does make for a fun Instagram photo, but it could also damage your teeth. This tradeoff just isn’t worth it.
Tip #2: Whitening your teeth at Pearline Health is proven to work.
Rather than wasting your time and resources on products that overpromise and underdeliver, come visit our studio and find natural, organic teeth whitening methods proven to whiten your smile. Our Clean Specialists are ready to offer a painless option right for you!
Myth #3: Using oils will whiten my teeth.
Many DIY ingredients for natural or at-home whitening include coconut oil. The idea is to swish the oil around in your mouth (also called “oil pulling”). This is not supported by any reliable scientific evidence. Don’t assume a healthy ingredient is healthy or even effective for your teeth.
Tip #3: Relying on the Clean Specialists at Pearline will be more effective…we’re talking 2-5 shades!
Our studio provides a safe, painless, healthy, and eco-friendly option for teeth whitening. Check out our Organic Whitening page to learn more.
Dr. Alex Kalmanovich’s recommendations for maintaining whiter teeth
- Have your teeth cleaned every 3 months.
- Stop using whitening toothpastes. They are abrasive and wear down your enamel, which will make your teeth look darker over time.
- Make your own whitening toothpaste with equal parts baking soda and hydrogen peroxide.