I’m having a makeover slumber party. I wanted to do this recipe for teeth whitening with lemon juice I found online, but my mom says I have to check that it’s safe with a dentist first. So, is it safe?
Mandy
Dear Mandy,
Can Lemons Whiten Your Teeth?
I’m glad your mom had you check. The internet is a wonderful tool, but like everything else in life, you need to check its veracity. These days, we’d call that article you read “fake news”. Using lemon juice on your teeth is extremely dangerous.
The citric acid in lemons is so corrosive that it’s used in industrial cleaners. It will eat away the enamel on your teeth. In fact, hopefully, your dentist has warned you to wait 30 minutes to brush your teeth after consuming anything citrus or any sodas (which contain citric acid). Even better, rinse out your mouth immediately after.
This doesn’t mean you can’t have some kind of teeth whitening element at your party. If your mom is willing, she could purchase a box of Crest Whitestrips for you and your friends to use during your slumber party. They’ll whiten your teeth a little, though not nearly as much as teeth whitening from a dentist.
The Best Protection Against Needing Teeth Whitening
You’re still young, so your teeth haven’t picked up too many stains. They will as you age, regardless of how careful you are with your oral hygiene, but there are ways to make sure it doesn’t happen quickly. Certain beverages stain your teeth more, such as tea and coffee.
Smoking is horrible for your oral hygiene. Not only does it stain your teeth remarkably quickly, but it puts you at a high risk for gum disease. If you avoid those things, brush and floss daily, and go to regular check-ups with your dentist, your teeth will stay white and healthy for many years.
When you’re old, like me, you can then get your teeth whitened in just one appointment using an in-office whitening system called Zoom Whitening.
This blog is brought to you by Dr. Theodore Hadgis.