Everybody loves a cheap DIY solution, especially when it comes to our appearance. Some people on the internet swear by the teeth brightening powers of banana peel, claiming that applying the inner white fuzzy part to your teeth can make them multiple shades whiter.
Interests are piqued. After all, bananas are far cheaper than professional whitening treatments and are definitely all-natural. Bananas themselves contain nutrients such as potassium, magnesium, and manganese, all of which contribute directly to a white smile and your overall health. But banana peels as a topical method? It’s still debated as to whether it truly works.
Still, there’s no harm in trying this low-cost whitening method. At the very worst, you’ll have a reason to add healthy food to your diet, even if you’re only buying the bananas for their peel.
Here’s how to use banana peels to whiten your teeth. You’ll need one banana peel, a toothbrush, and some toothpaste:
- Rub the underside of the banana peel all over your teeth.
- Once your teeth have been thoroughly rubbed, let the banana matter sit on your teeth for ten minutes. Keep your lips away from your teeth at this time, as you would if you were using traditional whitening solutions.
- Use a dry toothbrush to work the banana into your teeth.
- Brush the banana away with a wet toothbrush and some toothpaste, as you normally would
- Repeat this process daily for several weeks
Some people have seen results from banana peel whitening, but many online bloggers report seeing no difference and simply attracting funny looks from friends and family who’ve witnessed them driving a banana peel into their face.
It’s up to you whether it’s worth it to attempt banana peel whitening yourself. If you’re fine with going through the process and achieving nothing but using up bananas then go for it. If you’re looking for a surefire method of teeth whitening, opt for clinically proven solutions:
- Whitening toothpaste
- Over-the-counter whitening strips and gels
- Whitening treatments are given at the dentist’s office
Traditional teeth whitening works by delivering bleach to your teeth’s surface: either hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide. The bleach breaks up stains on your teeth’s enamel, lessening their saturation and improving the brightness of your smile.
A banana peel does not contain such chemicals. The premise of their whitening power is simply because of their white colour and abundance of minerals. Rubbing these minerals on your teeth, however, is unlikely to bring about significant improvement, if any at all.
If you opt for professional-grade teeth whitening then bananas are on the list of acceptable foods you can consume within twenty-four hours of the treatment. So, whether or not you’re going for the banana peel method or something stronger, having a bunch of bananas around at home is never a bad idea.
You may also find on the internet several ‘tricks’ using other fruit, such as strawberries, to clean your teeth. This is a bad idea because the acid in these fruits can actually damage your teeth. Stay away from applying anything acidic directly to your teeth. Even drinking acidic drinks — such as orange juice, lemonade, and soda — can be harmful.
The banana peel method isn’t proven yet, but if you’re looking for a cheap, easy, and silly way to whiten your teeth then give it a try. If you don’t get the results you hoped for, contact your local dentist’s office to look into their clinical whitening treatments. Having white teeth is well within reach, whatever route you choose to go.
For more information about teeth whitening, call Dawson Dental at 1-855-406-2742 or visit our contact page here.