On social media platforms, especially TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, it is not difficult to find tips for whitening teeth at home with available ingredients.
One of them is the method of rubbing a mixture of lemon, coarse salt and mustard oil on the teeth to remove yellow stains to make "immediate whitening" and calling mustard oil a "pharing medicine" for a smile.
However, dental experts issue serious warnings about the potential risks behind these beauty tips.
According to indianexpress, Dr. Gunita Singh - a dental specialist at Dental Lasers (India) - said: "Golden teeth can make many people lose confidence, but the best way to handle it is still to go to a dentist to get a professional bleach in less than 30 minutes".
Gunita Singh explains that although lemons, coarse salt and mustard oil are all available as anible ingredient, it does not mean that they are absolutely safe to use in tooth enamel.
Salt and mustard oil are both substances that irritate gums if used regularly. They can cause inflammation, gum loss, and even damage tooth enamel, says Dr. Singh.
Regarding lemons, Ms. Gunita Singh added that lemons contain a very high amount of citric acid. If you rub your teeth directly regularly, the acid will erode the ferment, leading to to cavities and increasing the risk of tooth decay.
Dr. Singh also emphasized that folk tips are often widespread because they are cheap, easy to apply and uncontrolled. However, that makes them dangerous if users do not have basic medical knowledge.
Instead of using highly acidic or irritating recipes, Gunita Singh recommends safer measures such as strawberry dates or banana peels on tooth, because the ingredients are less wear-and-seat and less harmful.
Although the desire to own bright white teeth is legitimate, users need to be alert to the trends of "self-made" beauty on social networks. Consult your doctor before trying any method to protect your oral health sustainably.
