There are so many home do-it-yourself (DIY) tips on teeth whitening. Everything starting from lemons to fruits and baking soda are mentioned to have whitening powers. How true are these claims? Here are the myths and facts behind natural teeth whitening.

1. Acidic fruits can whiten teeth
A lot of online sources claim that acidic fruits like pineapples, strawberries, and lemons can whiten teeth and help you get a beautiful smile. This may not be entirely true. While acids can whiten teeth, there is not enough acid in these fruits to actually remove stains. Fruits are healthy for your body, and you can eat them for this reason, though.

2. Activated charcoal can whiten teeth
Some people believe that activated charcoal can whiten teeth. The idea behind this is that activated charcoal is slightly rough in texture. They believe it acts as a scrub and helps remove stains, and aids in teeth whitening. Experts disagree, though. Using such abrasive ingredients on the teeth often can lead to enamel corrosion.

3. Oil pulling makes your teeth white
This is neither completely true nor a complete myth. Oil pulling is a traditional Indian method of swishing oil inside the mouth first thing in the morning. Indians believe that the oil helps get rid of bacteria and plaque and keeps the mouth clean. This is a fact. Oil pulling does bring down the risk of developing plaque and tartar and keeps the mouth healthy. It may not be very effective for teeth whitening, though.

4. Baking soda is the best for whitening your teeth
Using baking soda along with your paste once in a while may slightly help with teeth whitening. However, if you keep doing this often, your enamel gets corroded, and your teeth will start looking even more yellow. Do remember that the enamel is what gives the teeth their bright white color. The acid in the baking soda can damage the enamel.

5. Apple cider vinegar works the best
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) is also a very commonly used product for teeth whitening at home. ACV has a lot of health benefits, and it can kill microorganisms in the mouth, thanks to its acidity. However, the benefits stop there. It may not help in teeth whitening, as many people claim.

6. Consuming fruits and vegetables
If you wondered how fruits and vegetables help whiten teeth, the answer is simple. By chewing and eating fruits and vegetables, your teeth get enough work, are kept clean, thanks to the saliva, and can fight infections as fruits and veggies are antioxidants. This may play a small role in whitening your teeth.

This will give you an idea of what you should actually do to keep your teeth bright. Talk to your dentist to get the right recommendations.