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The whitening process strengthens the enamel? Trying to work out how that would work? Intuitively it would be neutral at absolute best.Are you sure? I've seen online it strengthens enamel, has no change, or weakens.
Is it very effective?Hydrogen peroxide, the active ingredient in most if not all teeth whitening products, definitely can weaken tooth enamel (especially high concentrations or just overuse).
One ingredient that is now known to whiten teeth, but with no harm to the enamel (or may even strengthen), is bromelain, an enzyme extracted from pineapple stems. I buy the pure stuff online for my own DIY whitening.
When I eat pineapple I get sore gums and tongue. Do you use pure bromelain or diluted in some way?Hydrogen peroxide, the active ingredient in most if not all teeth whitening products, definitely can weaken tooth enamel (especially high concentrations or just overuse).
One ingredient that is now known to whiten teeth, but with no harm to the enamel (or may even strengthen), is bromelain, an enzyme extracted from pineapple stems. I buy the pure stuff online for my own DIY whitening.
Studies show evidence that it’s effective. Here’s one reference but you can easily find other studies out there.Is it very effective?
My mouth is also sensitive when I eat a lot of pineapple but the bromelain powder doesn’t cause any irritation for me surprisingly.When I eat pineapple I get sore gums and tongue. Do you use pure bromelain or diluted in some way?
Interesting :)Studies show evidence that it’s effective. Here’s one reference but you can easily find other studies out there.
Personally, my teeth have gotten significantly whiter and also less translucent since I started using bromelain but I can’t attribute it solely to that because it was part of a whole regimen I developed. A little background:
About a year ago, my dentist not only identified two new cavities, but looking in the mirror I was noticing the bottom of my front teeth had become translucent, so significantly that it startled me. In the next weeks I took the following approach:
1. Brushing twice a day with a toothpaste containing hydroxyapatite, a fluoride alternative used widely in Japan and other countries
2. Chewing gum containing Recaldent, a special casein protein which studies suggest can help remineralize teeth
3. Shining red light on teeth for a few minutes every couple of days
4. Rinsing mouth out (after drinking OJ or Coke) with homemade powder made of baking soda, xylitol, and bromelain powder.
So yes, my teeth rebounded significantly after instituting the above protocol - whiter, less translucent. But I can’t rightly say it was because of the bromelain.
I use a brand called Bite. They are a US startup that makes “tooth bits”, little tabs that you chew up and then brush with. Not sure about their availability outside the US. I’ve tried other tooth bit competitor brands that tried to mimic Bite with hydroxyapatite as the active ingredient, but I didn’t like any of them as much.Interesting :)
What brand of toothpaste do you use? And how did you mix the baking soda, xylitol and bromelain powder? I mean do you mix it with water?
Thanks so much ?Its actually a challenge in general to get a hold of any of these ingrediens and the chewing gum from Norway but I will give it a try ?I use a brand called Bite. They are a US startup that makes “tooth bits”, little tabs that you chew up and then brush with. Not sure about their availability outside the US. I’ve tried other tooth bit competitor brands that tried to mimic Bite with hydroxyapatite as the active ingredient, but I didn’t like any of them as much.
As for my DIY mouthwash, the ratio I do is roughly three parts baking soda, two parts xylitol, and one part bromelain. I just keep that powder mix in a jar with a small spoon. I fling about 1/2 a tsp into my mouth (so I don’t have to put a wet spoon back in the jar), take a sip of water, and swish vigorously for about 30-60 seconds. At first I tried dissolving the entire jar of powder in water, but it would taste funky after a few days, and dissolving a small amount each day would be way too much work :)
So do you think there is any way to protect/lessen the damage from a really infrequent teeth whitening session? I really like them but don't want to damage something as precious as teeth!Bromelain probably works the same as hydrogen peroxide by oxidising the tissue in the oral cavity. The issue isn't really hydrogen peroxide itself, but the length of time and percentage of hydrogen peroxide that is used in cosmetic dentist offices
I've seen the studies on enzymes for whitening and there is nothing that suggests they can oxidise the dentin which is what is responsible for making teeth look visually yellow. Only hydrogen peroxide applied into a fitted mouth tray can do that(you wont get the same effect from just swishing or brushing with it)but it takes away collagen and protein building blocks of teeth as it does it over time. I thought vitamin C could prevent that, but it doesn't look like it can or its not enough to maintain the collagen/elastin etc into not being destroyed by the oxidation. I was kind of in the camp of whitening in moderation maybe once or twice a year is probably ok, but some people i know who have it done i've noticed their teeth are starting to look a little thin and "weak" looking as they approach their 40ies.