Strawberries and Other Strange, Alternative Whitening Methods

Whether it’s a style blog, daytime TV, or a cheap living website, it’s not hard to find a new, strange method for allegedly whitening one’s teeth. People sing praises for everything from charcoal to strawberries to whiten their teeth, but can any of these alleged whitening options get the job done? Or should you just stick with over-the-counter products and professional whitening methods for getting that whiter smile? To learn about a few strange, supposed whitening methods, check out our quick list below.

Strawberries

A quick Google search will reveal many how-to’s on how to use baking soda and strawberries to whiten teeth. While it may seem like a simple, inexpensive way to better your smile, it won't actually do much good when it comes to teeth whitening.

Dr. So Ran Kwon, a dental researcher with the University of Iowa, decided to study the apparent whitening method. For her study, which was published via Operative Dentistry , Kwon rubbed a concoction of baking soda and crushed strawberries onto 20 detached teeth for ten days, three times per day. The baking soda-berry mixture was on the detached teeth for about five minutes, and then Kwon brushed the teeth. Kwon found the mixture did help remove surface debris and plaque from the teeth, creating an illusion of a whiter shade, but the concoction didn't actually bleach the teeth.

Charcoal

The claim that brushing your teeth using activated charcoal powder is another whitening trend, as it allegedly absorbs bacteria and stains to make the teeth whiter. However, there are several reasons you should skip charcoal for whitening. For one, it’s unclear how abrasive activated charcoal is, so it could potentially damage your enamel. Also, the American Dental Association (ADA) apparently still hasn’t studied charcoal’s effects regarding whiter teeth. Until further studies on the effectiveness and safety of charcoal have been performed, you should stick with verified whiteners.

Oil Pulling

Another teeth whitening trend that’s made the rounds online is a practice called oil pulling, which involves swishing one tablespoon of coconut oil along your teeth for up to 20 minutes. This practice originates from ancient India, with people practicing it today claiming it helps them whiten their teeth, prevent cavities, and better their oral health.

While there’s a good chance oil pulling won't hurt your teeth, it isn’t a good substitute for brushing your teeth every day. It's also not likely you'll see any dramatic, lasting change in your teeth’s color after performing oil pulling. According to the ADA, there have been no reliable studies that show oil pulling to be effective for whitening teeth or keeping your teeth and gums clean. Until new studies say otherwise, you should just brush and floss regularly as you normally would.

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