Want to know how to get your teeth whiter and brighter? Apple cider vinegar may be the answer. Apple cider vinegar is a natural product that’s been used for centuries as a home remedy for all kinds of ailments, including bad breath and tooth decay. It’s also been used as a hair rinse and skin toner, but its powers of teeth whitening are what we’re going to focus on here.
How does it work? The answer is simple: by using the acid in apple cider vinegar to break down stains on your teeth and remove them. The process is pretty straightforward: just brush with water, then dip your toothbrush in a cup of apple cider vinegar and brush again. The acid will dissolve any surface stains on your teeth (such as coffee or red wine), leaving you with a whiter smile!
Read on to learn more about How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Teeth Whitening, Apple Cider Vinegar Kills Tooth Infection and How to Consume Apple Cider Vinegar While Protecting Your Teeth
How To Use Apple Cider Vinegar For Teeth Whitening
Does Apple Cider Vinegar Whiten Teeth?Apple cider vinegar has long been touted as a natural health remedy. It can aid digestion, help control blood sugar levels, alleviate sunburns, make hair shinier, and maybe even play a role in weight loss!
Another claim about the benefits of using apple cider vinegar is that it can act as a natural tooth whitener. Is the miracle cure apple cider vinegar really a whitening agent and, if so, how safe is it to use at home?
WHAT IS APPLE CIDER VINEGAR?
Vinegar is a sour liquid made during a fermentation process that converts sugar to alcohols and then the alcohol into acetic acid. Apple cider vinegar, which has about 5% acidity, comes from apples and plain water. It’s used for marinades, salad dressings, pickling, and a wide variety of home remedies, including teeth whitening.
The acetic acid in apple cider vinegar has been reported to help remove plaque from teeth and remedy stains caused by smoking or drinking red wine or coffee. Apple cider vinegar is also touted for improving overall mouth health by killing “bad” bacteria and fostering healthy bacteria.
Nearly everyone wants brilliant white movie star teeth, and apple cider vinegar could be an easy, accessible way to get a little closer to that goal. Instead of making expensive, time-consuming teeth whitening products or in-office appointments, just reach in the pantry!
Mixed with water and used as a rinse or mouthwash, or combined with baking soda and rubbed directly onto the teeth as a paste, apple cider vinegar is getting recognition as an all-natural alternative to traditional whitening mouthwashes and toothpaste. But is it as great as some people say?
POTENTIAL RISKS OF VINEGAR AS A WHITENING AGENT
As with any “cure-all” treatment, there’s a catch. Apple cider vinegar is very acidic, with a pH of 3.075, and using too much can damage the tooth enamel, which starts to erode at a pH of 5.5.
Enamel erosion will actually make the tooth surfaces appear darker as the shiny white outer layer breaks down. When the protective outer enamel becomes weakened from too much acidity, it can lead to tooth sensitivity.
Although sometimes ingested to help ward off minor illnesses like colds and sore throats, swallowing undiluted apple cider vinegar can also cause throat irritation.
THE BEST WAY TO USE APPLE CIDER VINEGAR TO WHITEN TEETH
To safely use apple cider vinegar as an organic, all-natural tooth-whitening agent, the key is to dilute and use sparingly. Create a rinse of one part apple cider vinegar and two parts water, and gently swish around the mouth for about one minute.
To avoid damaging the enamel, be sure to dilute the vinegar before it comes in contact with the teeth. After rinsing, wait at least 30 minutes before brushing teeth. Even diluted, the vinegar can be abrasive, and applying a rough toothbrush to the tooth’s enamel surfaces right away can do more harm than good.
Apple cider vinegar as a whitening rinse won’t lead to immediately brighter, whiter teeth. Consistent use over time – making sure to dilute to avoid enamel erosion – can eventually lead to a whiter smile. Always be sure to consult a dentist first to make sure it’s the best choice. Often, manufactured mouthwashes and toothpaste can deliver visible results more quickly without the risks, although they typically are not all-natural products.
With careful use, apple cider vinegar may be a smart option for organic tooth whitening. As with any product, natural or manufactured, consult a health professional before use and use in moderation for the greatest benefit with minimal risk.
Apple Cider Vinegar Kills Tooth Infection
Using apple cider vinegar for a toothache is a temporary way to relieve pain while you wait for your appointment. If you have a toothache, chances are it’s getting in the way of your sleep. While you may not be able to get rid of it completely, there are plenty of home toothache remedies you can try to help with the pain.
A throbbing, searing toothache has to be one of life’s worst nightmares. Throughout history, cultures have recognized natural remedies that help with healing and reduce swelling.
If you have a toothache, it’s important to figure out what’s at the root of your discomfort. From there, you can determine how to best relieve any pain, swelling, or other symptoms.
Generally, a toothache that lasts longer than a day or two requires a dentist visit. Your dentist will also want to take a peek sooner if:
- the pain is severe
- teeth are sensitive to cold or hot
- there is swelling, discharge, or abscesses near the tooth
- you have a fever
- the pain is at the site of a wisdom tooth
- the pain comes on following a mouth injury involving broken or knocked-out teeth.
However, there’s no use in sitting around in pain while you wait for your appointment. Instead, you can try using apple cider vinegar for a toothache to get some temporary relief.
How to Consume Apple Cider Vinegar While Protecting Your Teeth
Good news! You don’t have to miss out on the benefits that apple cider vinegar might provide. To take it safely, consider:
- Diluting it with water (for example, 2 tablespoons of vinegar can be added to an 8-ounce glass of water)
- Consuming only small amounts
- Using it as an ingredient in meals, such as in salad dressings
- Drinking it through a straw
- Rinsing your mouth with some water right after drinking it
- Waiting about 30 minutes or more before brushing your teeth after drinking it
- Taking apple cider vinegar pills
Let Your Dentist Keep a Close Eye on Your Teeth
If you choose to consume apple cider vinegar, it’s important to take care of your teeth at home, as well as see your dentist for checkups and cleanings. Your dentist can let you know if the vinegar is doing more harm to your teeth than you realize. Plus, a dental pro can also offer tips on how to protect your enamel, and provide treatments to combat sensitivity.
In the end, it is all about balance and strategy when it comes to using apple cider vinegar for your health. You can certainly have your apple cider vinegar without damaging your chompers, provided that you take it correctly. But if you want to be absolutely sure that the vinegar isn’t harming your pearly whites, consider signing up for a dental insurance plan that will make it easy and affordable to see your dentist on a regular basis.