This subject likely will grab more attention than anything I could ever write about. Almost everyone seems to want whiter (not necessarily whitest) teeth, regardless of personal level of vanity or vision. That’s understandable, your smile is right there in everyone’s face. Fewer people are willing to put in much effort or expense to get there, however.
I guess that’s why the “quick fixes” at the dental care products displays are so prominent and numerous. Using something that you can brush on or rinse with to whiten is very appealing. Companies understand all of this, and are eager to place as many products out there as they can, regardless of safety or effectiveness.
Anyhow, here is the quickest whitening solution possible: acid. I know it sounds crazy, and I don’t recommend it. But that’s what is in some of the rinses and toothpastes that claim to be whitening or “instant whitening.” I don’t know how they are able to do that, but more importantly I don’t know why anyone is buying acid to put on their teeth.
Acid is the quickest but worst way to whiten your teeth. What acid does is dehydrate the enamel. For most people that will provide a dramatic whitening. Of course, it is temporary, but you will notice immediate results.
What you don’t notice right away is the microscopic effects on the enamel. Any acid, even the citric acid in many of the whitening rinses and toothpastes, will demineralize (remove the minerals in) the enamel. And your enamel is 100 percent mineral.
Long-term effects are even worse. Aside from creating brittle and sensitive teeth, as you wear the enamel you expose more of the dentin below the enamel. The dentin is almost always a darker yellow.
So, over time you are making your teeth more yellow. I suppose I should be happy about that.
