9 May 2017
 Categories: Dentist, Blog

If you have stains on your teeth, then you may be ready to start using some at home remedies to release the debris from your teeth. While this is a good option to get rid of some of the stains without having to seek assistance from your dentist, some home remedies can actually do more harm than good. This is true of apple cider vinegar. Keep reading to learn why it should not be used for whitening purposes. 

Vinegar Is Acidic

You probably know that apple cider vinegar is acidic. However, you may not know exactly how acidic it is. Apple cider vinegar can have a pH value just a little over three. This means that the food item has an acidity value that is similar to that of lemons, grapefruits, and soda. 

Acidic foods can soften the dental enamel. When the enamel is softened, it can be easily damaged by hard and crunchy foods. Your toothbrush and toothpaste can also scrape the tooth enamel if it is already soft. This can result in substantial damage to the teeth. 

If you place apple cider vinegar directly on the teeth, then you are softening the stains and debris along with the enamel. While the stains are likely to release, so is some of the enamel. This can cause substantial tooth damage that is irreversible. This can lead to dental sensitivities, the formation of cavities, and the cracking and chipping of the teeth.

If you want to release stains without damaging the enamel, then try a whitening toothpaste. These pastes contain abrasive agents that safely polish debris away from the teeth. If you use a whitening paste, never use it after eating an acidic food or the abrasives will sink into the enamel. 

Your Teeth May Look More Stained

If you use apple cider vinegar to whiten the teeth, you may notice your teeth looking whiter soon after you start the treatments. However, the teeth will soon start to appear darker. This may not make a lot of sense since the vinegar is capable of removing stains. However, the staining is actually the dentin that is starting to show through the thinning enamel. 

Dentin is much darker than the enamel and it appears more beige. If you are starting to see teeth that darken, then you know that enamel has been damaged a great deal. While remineralization with the help of fluoride can assist in strengthening the enamel you already have, it does not rebuild the material. This means that the enamel is permanently destroyed. 

Since enamel cannot be restored, it is wise to keep the enamel safe and strong in the first place by avoiding apple cider vinegar as a whitening treatment. Speak with a cosmetic dentist instead about safe alternatives that can be offered inside and outside the dental office.  To learn more, contact a dental office like Pike Dentistry.