Do Banana Peels Whiten Teeth?

Bananas are a delicious and healthy fruit part of most people’s diets. But if you believe things you read online, you may be thinking that you should not throw away those peels.

Instead, you should use them to whiten your teeth and get that pearly smile you’ve always wanted. But is that true? Keep reading to find out!

Banana Peels and Teeth Whitening: the Truth

Sorry, but this hack doesn’t actually work. There is no evidence that rubbing banana peels over your teeth would have any effect on your color, apart from perhaps removing some stain from the surface of your teeth, which you could also do by brushing.

People usually gravitate to these hacks because they’re looking for both an affordable and natural way to improve their smile’s appearance. While banana peels aren’t harmful, many other so-called DIY whitening hacks may be, so it’s best to be very careful with them.

How Are Teeth Actually Whitened?

Right now, there are only two ways to change the color of your teeth:

• Abrasion: This occurs when you brush your teeth, which can remove superficial stains from the surface, like the ones left off after you drink your morning coffee. Using an abrasive or whitening toothpaste can also remove some more profound stains, but for the most part, abrasion has a limited whitening potential;

• Bleaching: Whitening solutions use a bleaching agent that both breaks down surface stains and molecular stains and lift a few shades off your teeth. While you have over-the-counter options, professional teeth whitening is the safest and most effective way to brighten your smile.

Benefits of Getting Your Teeth Professionally Whitened

Whether you opt for in-office sessions or professional at-home kits, working with a cosmetic dentist is the best way to change the color of your teeth for several reasons:

• Personalized treatment: A cosmetic dentist will take into account any existing restorations like dental crowns and establish an appropriate plan to give you the results you want;

• Safe whitening: Even with at-home kits, you will receive lots of instructions to be able to whiten your teeth without any unwanted side effects;

• Better results: Professional whitening is stronger than DIY or OTC solutions, so patients can get results that match their smile expectations better;

• Healthier teeth: If you have any cavities or other oral health issues, you’ll need to get the appropriate treatment before the whitening can begin. So in a way, the entire process will also lead to a healthier smile!

‍Want a Whiter Smile? Let Us Help!

Eric Morrison DDS, MAGD can help you access a fully personalized teeth whitening treatment plan, designed to offer you amazing results.

Book a teeth whitening consultation at Morrison Cosmetic Dentistry online, and stop by to discover your options and get a picture-perfect smile.

Have more questions about our services? Then feel free to call us at (301) 637-0719 for a short chat!