Dr. Mercola September 27 2007 96,823 views
Tooth whitening is the leading dental procedure requested by people under the age of 20 and between the ages of 30 and 50. In the last 10 years alone, this procedure has exploded by 300 percent, according to The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Perhaps one reason for the explosion has to do with the vast numbers of people having their teeth whitened, which then sets a new standard for how "normal" teeth are supposed to look. Even if your teeth are a healthy shade, they may look yellow when compared to the pearly whites of celebrities and, now, the average person walking down the street.The problem with most current tooth-whitening products, both over-the-counter versions and those performed in your dentist’s office, is that they use hydrogen peroxide to whiten your teeth.This is not your best choice because peroxide can cause your teeth to become sensitive. Additionally, hydrogen peroxide forms radical intermediates that can damage and destroy your gums and nerves.What causes your teeth to become discolored in the first place? Tooth discoloration is caused by colored molecules such as tannins and polyphenols -- found in red wine, coffee, and tea -- which become absorbed by your tooth enamel’s surface.Cigarettes, blueberries, and other foods that contain dark pigments can also discolor your tooth enamel, as can certain medications. Some of the staining can be removed by brushing, but over time the compounds can seep into your enamel.If you’re looking for a safer alternative to brighten your teeth, you can try this simple trick:
This natural mixture works because of the malic acid it contains, which acts as an astringent to remove some of the surface discoloration on your teeth. Though this method is perfectly safe to use on occasion, don’t use it too often (no more than once a week) because the acid could potentially damage your tooth enamel.
Be careful with the hydrogen peroxide. Inhaling the hydrogen peroxide is an irritant to the lungs - it will cause a very bad cough. Don't gargle with the hydrogen peroxide. If you use hydrogen peroxide in your mouth, just make sure you thoroughly rinse it out.
I use Hydrogen Peroxide for most of my cleaning...including my teeth...and ears!! I have been doing this for the last 3 years. My gums have never been better! I occasionally soak my whole body in a bath with 1 cup 35%...no more dry skin for me! I pour a whole bottle of the 3% cheap stuff on my kitchen floor, kitchen counter, bathroom floor, shower, tub... and walk around bare footed...feels great on the feet...bugs hate it...kills bacteria/viruses ...win win!! Yea!! Oh almost forgot...I clean all my glass water bottles with it...spray it in your dish washer, clean your refrigerator...I use it for just about everything. Spray it on veggies and fruit…it always amazes me how it foams up when sprayed on meat that is not organic. Add it to my humidifier once per week...my plants love it! I soak my sprouting seeds in it for a couple of hours…than rince…speeds up sprouting to half the time.
Whoever gave negative feedback on my hydrogen peroxide comment needs to do some research. I was using hydrogen peroxide with a waterpik on my teeth and one day decided to gargle with it. Well, I ended up developing a very bad cough like whooping cough. I found out from research that hydrogen peroxide does irritate the lungs and can cause other problems in the body even permanent nerve damage. I wanted to inform everyone to be careful. Also swallowing hydrogen peroxide can cause severe stomach problems. What was wrong with informing everyone of this so someone else doesn't make the same mistake!!!!
More on hydrogen peroxide. To be more clear on the hydrogen peroxide, only 35% FOOD GRADE grade hydrogen peroxide should only be used internally.
A) 3.5% Pharmaceutical Grade: This is the grade sold at your local drugstore or supermarket. This product is not recommended for internal use. It contains an assortment of stabilizers which shouldn't be ingested. Various stabilizers include: acetanilide, phenol, sodium stanate and tertrasodium phosphate.
B) 35% Food Grade: This is used in the production of foods like cheese, eggs, and whey-containing products. It is also sprayed on the foil lining of aseptic packages containing fruit juices and milk products. THIS IS THE ONLY GRADE RECOMMENDED FOR INTERNAL USE. It is available in pints, quarts, gallons or even drums.
Only 35% Food Grade hydrogen peroxide is recommended for internal use. At this concentration, however, hydrogen peroxide is a very strong oxidizer and if not diluted, it can be extremely dangerous or even fatal. Any concentrations over 10% can cause neurological reactions and damage to the upper gastrointestinal tract. There have been two known fatalities in children who ingested 27% and 40% concentrations of H202. Recently, a 26 month old female swallowed one mouthful of 35% H202. She immediately began vomiting, followed by fainting and respiratory arrest. Fortunately, she was under emergency room care and although she experienced erosion and bleeding of the stomach and esophagus, she survived the incident. When she was re-examined 12 days later, the areas involved had healed (J Toxicol Clin Toxicol 90;28(1):95-100). ms.
Where do I buy 35% FOOD GRADE Hydrogen Peroxide?
I have 12% hydrogen peroxide which i'm told is the same thing just in a smaller dose. The 35% will have to be mixed with water so the 12% will need less water, but it is all based on 35% hydrogen peroxide. I tried it with a few of my warts but it didn't do anything except turn my skin white.
Hi, Just wanted to say that I used to use baking soda to clean my teeth-great for the teeth but very bad for the gums. My dentist said that it is too abrasive and causes the gums to receed. That is not what I need. So, now I use the non floride natural toothpaste. Another way to naturally whiten your teeth is oil pulling. You take approx 1 tbs of cold pressed sunflower oil in your mouth each morning before you drink or eat anything and gently swish it in your mouth for 15min. I do it while I am showering. This is a detoxification method and it draws out of your salivary glands a bunch of junk. You definitely do not swallow it. You spit it out (it will be white) in the toilet (who wants a greasy sink), then brush your teeth, cleaning your toothbrush afterward. Wala! You have just help detoxify your body and the side benefit-your whole mouth including your teeth are amazingly clean. As you continue to do it-your teeth will get whiter. Works for me.
Lisa D
done a lot of research on xylitol toothpaste (which is a birch sugar), and it is very effective in eliminating tooth decay. Our family uses it consistently along with the xylitol gum and mouthwash. Studies show it is 90% effective in eliminating tooth decay.
As a side note, the xylitol nasal spray has eliminated the need for my kids to have ear tubes due to eustachian tube dysfunction. This is interesting. I presented the xylitol studies to the ear doctor and he discounted it because it was published in the British Medical Journal (outside of the US). He prescribed a steriod nose spray for my kids and said he uses this spray for his own kids. I have been using the xylitol nasal spray for 2 months on my kids. About 1 1/2 months ago (after the ear tubes fell out), a visit to the ear dr showed one ear was healed but the other ear still has fluid in the ear tube with a retracted eardrum. The doc said in front of my son "I doubt that this ear will heal" due to his past history. I continued to use the xylitol nasal spray along with vitamins with choline, inositol and magnesium and a homeopathic remedy called "wellness earache". We went back to the ear doctor this past week and both ears were healed except the left eardrum was a little retracted. This is the first time my 7 year old ears have been fluid-free without ear tubes!! I finally found my answer after 10 years of searching. My 11 year old has had 5-6 sets of ear tubes until this year also. In the past I have tried no dairy (and other known allergy foods), chiropractic services, other manipulation, etc.
Sorry to get off the subject with the ear issue, but just wanted to indicate the effective of xylitol. It seems no one on this site is familiar with it and has ever commented on it in the past. If you have any sinus, ear or tooth problems, it is worth investigating. There are absolutely no side effects!
I read certain sugars are beneficial to teeth but don't know about strawberries.
My whole family also uses the spry gum and toothpaste and when I showed it to my dentist he had never heard of it. I gave him a free sample pack of the gum and he said he would look into it. Again, consumers are more informed than professionals on so many things. I just started using the nasal spray last month and I really feel it is helping clear my nose with allergies etc. I will be buying a bottle for each of my kids.
Rita
This may sound silly, but did you use the xylito nasal spray nasally, or into the ear? My niece also suffers from constant ear infections and tube placements. Obviously the tube thing has not cured her. Thanks for getting off the topic! It may help others a lot!
Another safe way to whiten teeth and detox at the same time is with oil swishing.
Bonita